AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
abstinencenounUS /ˈæbstənəns/
the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
aromanounUS /ərˈoʊmə/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
celebrationsnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃənz/
plural of “celebration” — a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/
a period of 100 years
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
comesnounUS /kʌmz/
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
CommencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/
the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
dancing-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
dissipationnounUS /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/
breaking up and scattering by dispersion
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
drinkingnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
fascinations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
fightingnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
flavornounUS /ˈfleɪvər/
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
gatheringsnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋz/
plural of “gathering” — a group of persons together in one place
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
ice-cream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
lemonadenounUS /ˈleməˈneɪd/
sweetened beverage of diluted lemon juice
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
licensenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
milderadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪldər/
comparative of “mild” — moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
NowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
objectionableadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒekʃənəbəl/
causing disapproval or protest
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
punch-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
rowdyismnoun
rowdy behavior
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
smackverbUS /smæk/
deliver a hard blow to
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
strawberrynounUS /ˈstrɔːberi/
sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
Sunday-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
swearingnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
teensnounUS /tiːnz/
the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nowadays our celebrations smack of the Sunday-school more than of the dancing-hall.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
unlicensedadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪsənst/
lacking official approval
From this reading The days of total abstinence are a great improvement over those of unlicensed license, but there was a picturesque element about the rowdyism of our old Commencement days, which had a charm for the eye of boyhood.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
venturesnounUS /ˈventʃərz/
plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading A strawberry festival is about as far as the dissipation of our social gatherings ventures.
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The aroma of the punch-bowl has given way to the milder flavor of lemonade and the cooling virtues of ice-cream.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading There was much that was objectionable in those swearing, drinking, fighting times, but they had a certain excitement for us boys of the years when the century was in its teens, which comes back to us not without its fascinations.
