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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 AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
ahead
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From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
ask
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
Brickett
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From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
cart
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From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
cents
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
circus
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From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
down
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
dully
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From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
elephant
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
fence
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
FEW
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
fifteen
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
FourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
gilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
glass
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From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
glint
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From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
Go
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
GRIMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
harness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
he'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
hit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
hoofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
It's
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From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
July
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
jump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
jumps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
leading
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From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
more
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From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
mother
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
OTHER
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
outlines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
plodding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
pudging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
puffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
reg'lar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
rusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
said
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From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
scuffing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
slouchy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
sparkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
straining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
surfaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
THINGS
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From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
TROUBLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
vehicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
waggon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
wonderingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”
