adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
accordinglyadverbUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
AutomaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
bookkeepersnounUS /ˈbʊkkiːpərz/
plural of “bookkeeper” — someone who records the transactions of a business
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
BridgeportnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒpɔːrt/
a port in southwestern Connecticut on Long Island Sound
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
Burdett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But David called himself a “demonstrator.”
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
conductorsnounUS /kənˈdʌktərz/
plural of “conductor” — the person who leads a musical group
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
DavidnounUS /ˈdeɪvɪd/
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
David'snounUS /ˈdeɪvɪdz/
possessive form of “david” — patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
demonstratornounUS /ˈdemənstreɪtər/
a teacher or teacher's assistant who demonstrates the principles that are being taught
From this reading But David called himself a “demonstrator.”
demonstratorsnounUS /ˈdemənstreɪtərz/
plural of “demonstrator” — a teacher or teacher's assistant who demonstrates the principles that are being taught
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
employeenounUS /emˈplɔɪi/
a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
GreenenounUS /ɡriːn/
English novelist and Catholic (1904-1991)
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But David called himself a “demonstrator.”
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
laughedverbUS /læft/
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
manufacturingnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərɪŋ/
the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
nickel-plated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
persuadingverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
pienounUS /paɪ/
dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
plantverbUS /plænt/
put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
platenounUS /pleɪt/
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
PunchverbUS /pʌntʃ/
deliver a quick blow to
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
punchesnounUS /ˈpʌntʃɪz/
plural of “punch” — (boxing) a blow with the fist
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
salesmannounUS /ˈseɪlzmən/
a man salesperson
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
salesmennounUS /ˈseɪlzmɪn/
plural of “salesman” — a man salesperson
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
samplesnounUS /ˈsæmpəlz/
plural of “sample” — a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
SenioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
shippingnounUS /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
the commercial enterprise of moving goods and materials
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
sonsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
squeezedverbUS /skwiːzd/
past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/
plural of “ticket” — a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a short time he even succeeded in persuading the other salesmen to speak of themselves as demonstrators, but the shipping clerks and bookkeepers laughed them out of it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading David Greene was an employee of the Burdett Automatic Punch Company.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading David's duty was to explain these different punches, and accordingly when Burdett Senior or one of the sons turned a customer over to David he spoke of him as a salesman.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
YorknounUS /jɔːrk/
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The manufacturing plant of the company was at Bridgeport, but in the New York offices there were working samples of all the punches, from the little nickel-plated hand punch with which conductors squeezed holes in railroad tickets, to the big punch that could bite into an iron plate as easily as into a piece of pie.
