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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 He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
abode
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From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
borrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
boudoir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
bury
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From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
buy
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From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
camphor-wood
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From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
carved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
color
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
color-tones
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From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
comb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
connoisseurnounUS /ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr/
a person who knows a great deal about the quality of something
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
created
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
daintily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
delicately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
Des
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From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
entertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
Esseintes
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From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
evasions
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From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
Fontenay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
hangings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
Indian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
Japanese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
meditations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
pavillion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
repose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
rose-tinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
satin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
silken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
sincerities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
surrendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
upholsterers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.
