airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
astonishmentnounUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
BEECHERnounUS /ˈbiːtʃər/
United States clergyman who was a leader for the abolition of slavery (1813-1887)
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
BlessverbUS /bles/
give a benediction to
From this reading "Bless my----!"
BumpernounUS /ˈbʌmpər/
a glass filled to the brim (especially as a toast)
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
collapsingverbUS /kəˈlæpsɪŋ/
-ing form of “collapse” — break down, literally or metaphorically
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
DamonnounUS /ˈdeɪmən/
the friend of Phintias who pledged his life that Phintias would return (4th century BC)
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
FENIMORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
giantnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənt/
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Bless my----!"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
ProfessornounUS /prəˈfesər/
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
somewhereadverbUS /ˈsʌmwer/
in or at or to some place
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
Swift'snounUS /swɪfts/
possessive form of “swift” — United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But that is as far as he got--at least just then.
tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/
lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
TomnounUS /tɑːm/
male cat
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and cried:
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair, collapsing like an automobile tire when the air is let out.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading FENIMORE BEECHER Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could have caused but little more astonishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor.
