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1
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From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
2
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From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
3
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
Adjective
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From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
admiration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
admits
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From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
arrived
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From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
Calendar
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From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
carries
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From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
compliment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
Discovery
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From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
doubt
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From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
forthcoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
infallible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
pleasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
presently
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From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
Pudd'nhead
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From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
Pudd'nhead's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
read
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From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
scale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
Startling
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From this reading Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery.
strike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
twins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins arrived presently, and talk began.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
Wilson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book.