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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
apples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
bears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
blows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
Christmas-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
delicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
delights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
dooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
dothauxiliary verbUS /dɔːθ/
an old form of “does”
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
fade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
foul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
glue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
greasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
Hallowe'en
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
hang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
icicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
Jock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
keel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
knavish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
logs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
Mhor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
milk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
nightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
nipp'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
owl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
pail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
paints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
pasteboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
peep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
present-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
presents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
shepherd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
shorten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
sings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
full of energy and determination
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
sprites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
stored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
tiptoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
Tu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
wandering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Mhor began to look forward to Christmas whenever the days began to shorten and the delights of summer to fade; and the moment the Hallowe'en "dooking" for apples was over he and Jock were deep in preparations.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
whit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
whu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu whit, Tu whu, a merry note While greasy Joan doth keel the pot."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As is the way with most things, the looking forward and preparing were the best of it.
wrestling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It meant weeks of present-making, weeks of wrestling with delicious things like paints and pasteboard and glue.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then came a week or two of walking on tiptoe into the little spare room where the presents were stored, just to peep, and make sure that they really were there and had not been spirited away, for at Christmas-time you never knew what knavish sprites were wandering about.
