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.