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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 SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
accept
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From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
all
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From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
alliance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
assure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Baldwin
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From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
bullets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Cancer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
Cavan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
chew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
COOK-MAID'S
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From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
dare
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From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
defiance
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From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
demanding
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From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
demolish
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From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
DR
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From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Dundalk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
hoarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
LETTER
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From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
MARY
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From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
Mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
NayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
PoornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
puff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
pun-talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
quadruple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
retrograde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
rules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
scalding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
scrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
SHERIDAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
swear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
SWIFT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
tear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
wiltmodal verbUS /wɪlt/
an old form of “will”, used with “thou”
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
yepronounUS /jiː/
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
