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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 During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
absence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
attendants
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From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
beauties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
bric-a-brac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
charm
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From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
charmed
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From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
comparison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
contemplated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
days
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From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
Des
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From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
discreet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
Esseintes
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From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
exhausted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
hard
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From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
individual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
loquacity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
ministrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
novelty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
objects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
protracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
purchased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
renewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
sentiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
softer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything there, books, bric-a-brac and furniture, had an individual charm for him.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the touch of this sentiment, these objects possessed a renewed novelty to his mind, and he perceived in them beauties forgotten since the time he had purchased them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The silent, discreet ministrations of his servants charmed him, exhausted as he was at the thought of the loud loquacity of hotel attendants.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During the days following his return, Des Esseintes contemplated his books and experienced, at the thought that he might have been separated from them for a long period, a satisfaction as complete as that which comes after a protracted absence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His bed seemed the softer by comparison with the hard bed he would have occupied in London.
