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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.
adjectives
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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.
agreeable
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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.
anguish
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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.
awkward
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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 /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
chinks
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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.
comfortable
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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.
considerable
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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.
contrive
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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.
convictions
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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.
disease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
elaborate
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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.
enough
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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.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
fancy
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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.
fill
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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.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
go
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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.
groan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
handle
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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.
howl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
indeed
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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.
judgment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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-hearted
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.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
old
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.
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.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
out
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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.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
pleasantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
profanity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
rheumatism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
say
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.
singularly
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.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
spasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
spasmodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
swear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
things
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.
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.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Nye was very ill indeed, with spasmodic rheumatism.
violentnounUS /ˈviolent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
wail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
well
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.
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.
