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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 The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
accurate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
adjectives
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From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
appeared
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From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
appreciative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
asses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
backbone
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From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
bark
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From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
bray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
cackle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
chattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
clattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
columns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
compressed
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From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
David
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
dogs
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From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
egg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
fewer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
flowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
folks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
glowingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
hens
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From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
idle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
journalese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
local
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
Mottisfont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
notices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
obituary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
palpitating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
periods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
phrases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
relished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
Sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
tongues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
version
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.
