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Over the Teacups
Over the Teacups

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Over the Teacups
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.
She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.
She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.
She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.
A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Over the Teacups

Chapter IX

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.
Line 2
She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.
Line 3
She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.
Line 4
She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.
Line 5
A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Balance noun US /ˈbalance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

apt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

balancenounUS /ˈbalance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

brain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

confused

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

crowded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

edge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

expression

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

fellow's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

fertile

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

Five

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

half-concealed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

handle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

ideas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

jackknife

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

knows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

liable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

Number

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

occasional

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

off

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

often

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

organ

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

philosopher's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

pick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

possibly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

prove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

ridicule

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

sallies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

sense

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

Seven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

sharper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

slightly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

soften

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

squinting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

suggestions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

tangle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

tantrums

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

teacup

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

threads

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

times

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

unwelcomed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She knows that the edge of a broken teacup may be sharper, very possibly, than that of a philosopher's jackknife.

welcomed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No one can handle Number Seven in one of his tantrums half so well as Number Five can do it.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading A mind a little off its balance, one which has a slightly squinting brain as its organ; will often prove fertile in suggestions.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She can soften the occasional expression of half-concealed ridicule with which the poor old fellow's sallies are liable to be welcomed--or unwelcomed.

wound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She can pick out what threads of sense may be wound off from the tangle of his ideas when they are crowded and confused, as they are apt to be at times.