Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
aback
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
account
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From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
accustomed
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
adopted
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From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
all
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
almost
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From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
any
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
astonishment
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From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
awfulest
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From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
Bob
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
case
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
cases
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From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
character
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
considered
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
deficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
employ
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
exigency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
extraordinary
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
following
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
habitual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
happens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
heretical
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From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
indisputable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
jest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
leader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
NextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
Nopolis
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
o-wy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
occur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
occurrence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
paragrab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
population
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
printers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
printing-offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
reading
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
substitute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
substitution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
superabundant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
taken
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From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
Tea-Pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
unflinchingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Next morning the population of Nopolis were taken all aback by reading in ‘The Tea-Pot,’ the following extraordinary leader:
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The true reason, perhaps, is that x is rather the most superabundant letter in the cases, or at least was so in the old times—long enough to render the substitution in question an habitual thing with printers.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As for Bob, he would have considered it heretical to employ any other character, in a case of this kind, than the x to which he had been accustomed.
x
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exigency here described is by no means of rare occurrence in printing-offices; and I cannot tell how to account for it, but the fact is indisputable, that when the exigency does occur, it almost always happens that x is adopted as a substitute for the letter deficient.
x-ed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I shell have to x this ere paragrab,’ said he to himself, as he read it over in astonishment, ‘but it’s jest about the awfulest o-wy paragrab I ever did see’: so x it he did, unflinchingly, and to press it went x-ed.
