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 A PROUD WOMAN HUMBLED.
accomplishment
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From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
all
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From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
attendance
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From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
become
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From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
brink
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From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
Countess
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From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
crowned
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From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
dance
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From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
defeat
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From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
defeated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
disgracenounUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
shame caused by unacceptable behaviour
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
else
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From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
Europe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
fatal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
fears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
Garter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
heed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
HUMBLED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PROUD WOMAN HUMBLED.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
Knight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
Lanswell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
obey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
OrdernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
peer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
PROUD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PROUD WOMAN HUMBLED.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
recent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
refused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
remonstrances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
singer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
son's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
triumphs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her own life had been so crowned with social triumphs and success she could not realize or understand anything else.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one grand desire of her heart since her son's marriage had been that he should become a Knight of the Order of the Garter, and now, by the recent death of a famous peer, the desire was on the eve of accomplishment; but if, on the very brink of success, it were known that he had left all his duties, his home, his wife, to dance attendance on a singer, even though she were the first singer in Europe, it would be fatal to him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Countess of Lanswell had never in all her life been defeated before; now all was over, and she went home with a sense of defeat such as she had never known before.
WOMAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PROUD WOMAN HUMBLED.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Her son refused not only to obey her, but to listen to her remonstrances; he would not take heed of her fears, and my lady saw nothing but social disgrace before them.
