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Some Roundabout Papers
Some Roundabout Papers

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Some Roundabout Papers
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.
You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.
Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.
As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.
They are four, five, six years old.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Some Roundabout Papers

Chapter III

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.
Line 2
You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.
Line 3
Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.
Line 4
As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.
Line 5
They are four, five, six years old.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

ABOUT preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.”

Merry noun US /merry/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.”

Pulled noun US /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.”

All words in this reading · 95

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

aflame

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

age

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

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

all

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

amusing

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

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

apply

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

Bell

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

bonbon

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

care

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

CHRISTMAS

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

confectioners

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

conundrums

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

cracker

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

cunning

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

curate

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

daresay

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

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

delicious

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

Dolly

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

don't

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

five

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

From this reading They are four, five, six years old.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

four

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

From this reading They are four, five, six years old.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

fruits

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

gentle

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

giftlings

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

introduce

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

kindly

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

ladies

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

love

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

love-riddle

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

Merry

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

old

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

From this reading They are four, five, six years old.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

out

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

passion

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

plucked

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

portion

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

pretty

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

pullednounUS /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

read

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

reader

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

riddles

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

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

ROUND

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

season

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

six

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

From this reading They are four, five, six years old.

sparkles

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

split

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

sugar-plum

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

sweet

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

sweet-almoned

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

sweetmeats

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

TREE

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From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

trust

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From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

two

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From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

very

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

well

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

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the tree, they don’t care about the love-riddle part, but understand the sweet-almoned portion very well.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

writing

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From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

years

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From this reading They are four, five, six years old.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE THE kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has pulled out a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

young

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

From this reading You young ladies, may you have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugar-plum which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of love.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Those riddles are to be read at _your_ age, when I daresay they are amusing.