adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
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 SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
brain-twisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
BrittnounUS /brɪt/
the young of a herring or sprat or similar fish
From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?
Britt's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
CashiernounUS /kæˈʃɪr/
an employee of a bank who receives and pays out money
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
cowbellnounUS /ˈkaʊbel/
a bell hung around the neck of cow so that the cow can be easily located
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
curnounUS /kɜːr/
an inferior dog or one of mixed breed
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
cur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
EgyptnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
entireadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtaɪər/
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
fadnounUS /fæd/
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
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 SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
folksnounUS /foʊks/
your parents
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
happenverbUS /ˈhæpən/
come to pass
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
hitchedverbUS /hɪtʃt/
past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/
the act of retaining something
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
jobnounUS /dʒɑːb/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
MOUTHSnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
SACKSnounUS /sæks/
plural of “sack” — a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
SEALEDadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
stickverbUS /stɪk/
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
tailnounUS /teɪl/
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
Tasper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
townsfolknounUS /ˈtaʊnzfoʊk/
the people living in a municipality smaller than a city
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
tricknounUS /trɪk/
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
undividedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndəˈvaɪdɪd/
not parted by conflict of opinion
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
Vaniman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
