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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 THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
according
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From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
apologies
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From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
apologize
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From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
artist
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From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
assume
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From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/
very surprised
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
beauty
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From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
biting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
callers
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From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
careless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
circumstance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
commonplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
desired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
endeavor
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From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
envious
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From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
envy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
felt
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From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
flattering
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From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
gossip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
gowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
intellectual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
involuntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
jealousy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
LASTnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
outsiders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
prettily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
Robert
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From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
slippered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
STRAW
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From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
tenaciously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
Theodora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For when such a circumstance happened, he involuntarily felt compelled to apologize, and he did not think apologies belonged to his position as master of the house.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
toilet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST STRAW For a few days Theodora clung tenaciously to her hope, but it had only told her a flattering tale.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
values
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
wife's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife's conversation, though bright and clever, was not as pleasant to him as his mother's biting gossip about the house and the callers; and he could assume a slippered, careless toilet in her presence, that made him uncomfortable when at the side of the always prettily gowned Theodora.
winner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost his taste for music, unless there was some stranger present whom he desired to make envious or astonished; in fact he had descended to that commonplace stage of love, which values a wife or a mistress only according to the value set upon her by outsiders--by their envy and jealousy of himself, as the clever winner of such an extraordinary artist, or beauty.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert had gradually fallen below the plane--moral and intellectual--on which his wife lived; and it was only by a painful endeavor, that he returned to the Robert of six years previously.
