adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
adjectivesnounUS /ˈædʒɪktɪvz/
plural of “adjective” — a word that expresses an attribute of something
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
chinksnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
contriveverbUS /kənˈtraɪv/
make or work out a plan for; devise
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
convictionsnounUS /kənˈvɪkʃənz/
plural of “conviction” — an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/
something many people believe that is false
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
fillverbUS /fɪl/
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
handleverbUS /ˈhændəl/
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
judgmentnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
kind-heartedadjective
having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
listenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/
hear with intention
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
Nye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
profanitynounUS /proʊˈfænəti/
vulgar or irreverent speech or action
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
smilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
swearverbUS /swer/
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading With fair opportunity he could swear very well and handle his adjectives with considerable judgment; but when the spasm was on him it was painful to listen to him, he was so awkward.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
violentadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪələnt/
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading He would groan and wail and howl with the anguish, and fill up the odd chinks with the most elaborate profanity that strong convictions and a fine fancy could contrive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
wild-cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the old gentleman was himself—which is to say, he was kind-hearted and agreeable when comfortable, but a singularly violent wild-cat when things did not go well.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would be smiling along pleasantly enough, when a sudden spasm of his disease would take him and he would go out of his smile into a perfect fury.
