adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
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 whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
blameverbUS /bleɪm/
put or pin the blame on
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
clinkingadjective
like the light sharp ringing sound of glasses being tapped
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
deliveredverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərd/
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
earnounUS /iːr/
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
fallsnounUS /fɔːlz/
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
fireworksnounUS /ˈfaɪrwɜːrks/
plural of “firework” — (usually plural) a device with an explosive that burns at a low rate and with colored flames; can be used to illuminate areas or send signals etc.
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
laughsnounUS /læfs/
plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
oratorynounUS /ˈɔːrətɔːri/
addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
passionateadjectiveUS /ˈpæʃənət/
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
pourverbUS /pɔːr/
cause to run
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
ReadernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
repartees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
rigmarolenoun
a set of confused and meaningless statements
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/
in a strange manner
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Our after-dinner oratory, that sounded so telling as we delivered it before the looking-glass, falls strangely flat amidst the clinking of the glasses.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading The passionate torrent of words we meant to pour into her ear becomes a halting rigmarole, at which—small blame to her—she only laughs.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our brilliant repartees do not occur to us till the door is closed upon us and we are alone in the street, or, as the French would say, are coming down the stairs.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I would, gentle Reader, you could hear the stories that I meant to tell you.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The whole thing was a mystery to him at the time, but, as he learned to know life better, he came to understand that it was only one example of a solid but inexplicable fact, ruling all human affairs—_your fireworks won’t go off while the crowd is around_.
