adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
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 It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
conceitnounUS /kənˈsiːt/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
elephantineadjectiveUS /ˌeləˈfæntiːn/
of great mass; huge and bulky
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
exceedinglyadverbUS /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋli/
to an extreme degree
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
facetiousnessnoun
playful humor
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
freshnessnounUS /ˈfreʃnəs/
the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
great-grandfathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
great-grandmothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
indelicateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdelɪkət/
in violation of good taste even verging on the indecent
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
introductoryadjectiveUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌktəri/
serving to open or begin
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
Knickerbocker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Knickerbocker pantheon is almost as real as that of Olympus.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
masterpiecesnounUS /ˈmæstərpiːsəz/
plural of “masterpiece” — the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
OlympusnounUS /oʊˈlɪmpəs/
a mountain peak in northeast Greece near the Aegean coast; believed by ancient Greeks to be the dwelling place of the gods (9,570 feet high)
From this reading The Knickerbocker pantheon is almost as real as that of Olympus.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
pantheonnounUS /ˈpænθiɑːn/
all the gods of a religion
From this reading The Knickerbocker pantheon is almost as real as that of Olympus.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
popularadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələr/
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The Knickerbocker pantheon is almost as real as that of Olympus.
realmnounUS /relm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
shocknounUS /ʃɑːk/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
soliditynounUS /səˈlɪdəti/
the consistency of a solid
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
spontaneitynounUS /ˌspɑːntəˈniːəti/
the quality of being spontaneous and coming from natural feelings without constraint
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
springtimenounUS /ˈsprɪŋtaɪm/
the season of growth
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Knickerbocker pantheon is almost as real as that of Olympus.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The book is indeed an original creation, and one of the few masterpieces of humor.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The introductory chapters are of that elephantine facetiousness which pleased our great-grandfathers, but which is exceedingly tedious to modern taste; and the humor of the book occasionally has a breadth that is indelicate to our apprehension, though it perhaps did not shock our great-grandmothers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
vigornounUS /ˈvɪɡər/
forceful exertion
From this reading In spontaneity, freshness, breadth of conception, and joyous vigor, it belongs to the springtime of literature.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It has entered into the popular mind as no other American book ever has, and it may be said to have created a social realm which, with all its whimsical conceit, has almost historical solidity.
