adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
bonfirenounUS /ˈbɑːnfaɪər/
a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
bowedadjectiveUS /baʊd/
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
capering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
creaturesnounUS /ˈkriːtʃərz/
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
deplorableadjectiveUS /dɪˈplɔːrəbəl/
bad; unfortunate
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
funnounUS /fʌn/
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
illuminations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
lesson-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
May-bush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
pipy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
PooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
potato-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
screechingnounUS /ˈskriːtʃɪŋ/
a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
Stokesley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
stolidadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːləd/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
TalkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “A bonfire!” said the London governess, thinking of illuminations; “what can that be for?”
thornnounUS /θɔːrn/
something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time and out of it!
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Talk of the change of an old thorn in winter to a May-bush in spring! that was nothing to it!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Who would believe that these were the merry, capering, noisy creatures, full of fun and riot, clattering and screeching, and dancing about with ecstasy at Sam’s information that there was a bonfire by the potato-house!
