adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Everybody was on the _qui vive_ about the candy then.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
boilingnounUS /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ/
the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
butteredverbUS /ˈbʌtərd/
past form of “butter” — spread butter on
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
candynounUS /ˈkændi/
a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading Everybody was on the _qui vive_ about the candy then.
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls couldn't drive the boys out of the room.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading The girls couldn't drive the boys out of the room.
evenlyadverbUS /ˈiːvənli/
in equal amounts or shares; in a balanced or impartial way
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
EverybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading Everybody was on the _qui vive_ about the candy then.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls couldn't drive the boys out of the room.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
Jennie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
KERNELSnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
plural of “kernel” — the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
MeanwhileadverbUS /ˈmiːnwaɪl/
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
nutmeats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
nutsadjectiveUS /nʌts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The girls couldn't drive the boys out of the room.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
pansnounUS /pænz/
plural of “pan” — cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
pouredverbUS /pɔːrd/
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
qui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody was on the _qui vive_ about the candy then.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The girls couldn't drive the boys out of the room.
RuthnounUS /ruːθ/
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
SHELLSnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
snowdriftnoun
a mass of snow heaped up by the wind
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
spreadverbUS /spred/
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
stuckadjectiveUS /stʌk/
caught or fixed
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
taffynounUS /ˈtæfi/
chewy candy of sugar or syrup boiled until thick and pulled until glossy
From this reading Meanwhile, the taffy was boiling in the big kettle, and Ruth and Jennie had buttered three dripping pans.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
thinlyadverbUS /ˈθɪnli/
without force or sincere effort
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading They spread the nutmeats evenly in the pans and then set the pans carefully on a snowdrift outside the back door to get thoroughly cold before the taffy was poured thinly over the nuts.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
vive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody was on the _qui vive_ about the candy then.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
whispernounUS /ˈwɪspər/
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading SHELLS AND KERNELS The three boys stuck to their work, with only a whisper or two, until there was a great bowl of nutmeats, and Ruth pronounced the quantity sufficient.
