1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
2
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
3
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
AdjectivenounUS /ˈædʒɪktɪv/
a word that expresses an attribute of something
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
admirationnounUS /ˌædmərˈeɪʃən/
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
admitsverbUS /ədˈmɪts/
third-person singular of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
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 There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
CalendarnounUS /ˈkæləndər/
a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
carriesnounUS /ˈkæriz/
plural of “carry” — the act of carrying something
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
DiscoverynounUS /dɪˈskʌvəri/
the act of discovering something
From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
infallibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfæləbəl/
incapable of failure or error
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
Pudd'nhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
Pudd'nhead's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
respectnounUS /rɪˈspekt/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
risingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪzɪŋ/
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
StartlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
strikeverbUS /straɪk/
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
waysnounUS /weɪz/
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
Wilson'snounUS /ˈwɪlsənz/
possessive form of “wilson” — author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
