Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

in the past

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

(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 I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

plural of “ballad” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the lowest part of the musical range

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

offering little or no hope

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

to talk foolishly

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

a youthful male person

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

plural of “bubble” — a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

like the light sharp ringing sound of glasses being tapped

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

past form of “coin” — make up

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a percussion instrument consisting of a concave brass disk; makes a loud crashing sound when hit with a drumstick or when two are struck together

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

have supper; eat dinner

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

let fall to the ground

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

all things; all of a situation

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the organ of sight

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

past form of “fresco” — paint onto wet plaster on a wall

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

praise vociferously

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

plural of “hide” — the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

make a sound typical of metallic objects

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a special anniversary (or the celebration of it)

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

immediately past

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a jaunty rhythm in music

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

full of life and energy

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

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 {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

make loose or looser

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

held dear

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

come together

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

plural of “mus” — type genus of the Muridae: common house mice; the tips of the upper incisors have a square notch

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

and nothing more

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a small flute; pitched an octave above the standard flute

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

promise solemnly and formally

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

-ing form of “pout” — be in a huff and display one's displeasure

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

blowing tobacco smoke out into the air

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

radiating or as if radiating light

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

make short successive sounds

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

-ing form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

plural of “singer” — a person who sings

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

plural of “skein” — coils of worsted yarn

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a lightweight cord

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

in a confused mass

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

in or at that place or location

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

in spite of the fact that

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

plural of “thrill” — the swift release of a store of affective force

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

up to a particular time

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

slightly intoxicated

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

in the direction of

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

plural of “triangle” — a three-sided polygon

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

a series of chirps

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

precisely as stated

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

emit long loud cries

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

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 And the things he knew that _I_ should know!-- The stage, the "drop," and the frescoed wall; The sudden flash of the lights; and oh, The orchestra, with its melody, And the lilt and jingle and jubilee Of "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading {61} "THE LITTLE MAN IN THE TINSHOP" When I was a little boy, long ago, And spoke of the theater as the "show," The first one that I went to see, Mother's brother it was took me-- (My uncle, of course, though he seemed to be Only a boy--I loved him so!) And ah, how pleasant he made it all!

at the time that

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

which person or people

From this reading {62} For Uncle showed me the "Leader" there, With his pale, bleak forehead and long, black hair; Showed me the "Second," and "'Cello," and "Bass," And the "B-Flat," pouting and puffing his face At the little end of the horn he blew Silvery bubbles of music through; And he coined me names of them, each in turn, Some comical name that I laughed to learn, Clean on down to the last and best,-- The lively little man, never at rest, Who hides away at the end of the string, And tinkers and plays on everything,-- That's "The Little Man in the Tinshop"!

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.

past form of “wrangle” — to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively

From this reading Raking a drum like a rattle of hail, Clinking a cymbal or castanet; Chirping a twitter or sending a wail Through a piccolo that thrills me yet; Reeling ripples of riotous bells, And tipsy tinkles of triangles-- Wrangled and tangled in skeins of sound Till it seemed that my very soul spun round, As I leaned, in a breathless joy, toward my Radiant uncle, who snapped his eye And said, with the courtliest wave of his hand, "Why, that little master of all the band Is 'The Little Man in the Tinshop'!

but in spite of that

From this reading I pledge thee, if we fast or dine, We yet shall loosen, line by line, Old ballads, and the blither trill Of our-time singers--for there will Be with us all the Muses nine When we three meet.