Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
a-goingnounUS /ˈa-going/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
administration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
aloof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
backways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
bull-fights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
Camelot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
community
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
crab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
hurry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
improvement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
invent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
knights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
Launcelot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
laws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
official
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
patent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
picturesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
practical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
reminds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
ridiculous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
rights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
sideways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
statesman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
stirring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
TOURNAMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
tournaments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
travel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had one tournament which was continued from day to day during more than a week, and as many as five hundred knights took part in it, from first to last.
wearisome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE TOURNAMENT They were always having grand tournaments there at Camelot; and very stirring and picturesque and ridiculous human bull-fights they were, too, but just a little wearisome to the practical mind.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration--and it was on the very first day of it, too--was to start a patent office; for I knew that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab, and couldn't travel any way but sideways or backways.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading However, I was generally on hand--for two reasons: a man must not hold himself aloof from the things which his friends and his community have at heart if he would be liked--especially as a statesman; and both as business man and statesman I wanted to study the tournament and see if I couldn't invent an improvement on it.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Things ran along, a tournament nearly every week; and now and then the boys used to want me to take a hand--I mean Sir Launcelot and the rest--but I said I would by and by; no hurry yet, and too much government machinery to oil up and set to rights and start a-going.
