adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
achingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪkɪŋ/
causing a dull and steady pain
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
AlsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
DaddynounUS /ˈdædi/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
daggerwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
eatverbUS /iːt/
take in solid food
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
evolutions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
firmlyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrmli/
with resolute determination
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
forefingernounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/
the finger next to the thumb
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
graspverbUS /ɡræsp/
hold firmly
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
hungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
InstancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/
an occurrence of something
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
Joan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
knifenounUS /naɪf/
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
magicnounUS /ˈmædʒɪk/
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
meatnounUS /miːt/
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
Munner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
necessitynounUS /nəˈsesəti/
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
sizzledverbUS /ˈsɪzəld/
past form of “sizzle” — make a sound like frying fat
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
skiddingverbUS /ˈskɪdɪŋ/
inflected form of “skid” — slide without control
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
speedverbUS /spiːd/
move hurridly
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
suppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
thumbnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There followed the setting of the table, and then a long, aching time of hunger when the food was in sight, but one could not eat until Daddy Dan had done this, and Munner had done that.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Also, when one did eat, half the taste was taken from things by the necessity of various complicated evolutions of knife and fork.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Joan's mother cooked supper there was always much rattling of the stove, then the building of the fire, a long preparation of food, and another interval when things steamed and sizzled on the fire.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He made the preparation for supper with such easy speed that everything seemed to be done by magic hands.
wobblyadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːbəli/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Instance the absurdity of taking the fork under the thumb with the forefinger pressing along the back of the wobbly instrument, when any one could see that the proper, natural way of using a fork was to grasp it daggerwise and drive it firmly through that skidding piece of meat.
