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Babylon, Volume 2
Babylon, Volume 2

Chapter II · Colin's Departure

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Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
|When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.
She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.
Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?
Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.
She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Babylon, Volume 2

Chapter II · Colin's Departure

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
|When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.
Line 2
She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.
Line 3
Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?
Line 4
Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.
Line 5
She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Nay exclamation US /neɪ/

an old word for “no”

From this reading “Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.”

All words in this reading · 136

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 She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

accepted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

ant-hill

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

away

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

better

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

chance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

Colin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

cook

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

country

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

cramped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

dear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

doubtless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

dreary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

faces

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

finally

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

friend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

friends

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

girl

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

girls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

hard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

heart

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

heavy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

Henry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

housemaid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

human

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

interest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

interests

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

irresponsive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

isolation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

it's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

known

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

learnt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

London

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

madam

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

matter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

Minna

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

miscellaneous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

nayexclamationUS /neɪ/

an old word for “no”

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

officially

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

parlour-maid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

position

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

practically

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

pure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

reflected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

say

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

sculptor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

self-contained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

shires

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

Sir

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

situation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

strangeness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

taken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

ThinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

thrown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

toils

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

turned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

unknown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

unspeakable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

unsympathetic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

utterly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

vast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

wanted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

warm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

Wilberforce's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading |When Minna learnt from Colin that he had finally accepted Sir Henry Wilberforce's situation, her heart was very heavy.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She has come up from the country, doubtless, to take a 'better' place in London, and there she is thrown by pure chance into one situation or another, with two or three more miscellaneous girls from other shires, having other friends and other interests; and from day to day she toils on, practically alone, among so many unknown, or but officially known, and irresponsive faces.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Think, for a moment, of the warm human heart within her, suddenly cramped and turned in upon itself by the unspeakable strangeness of everything around her.

world

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

Wroe's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Have you ever reflected, dear sir or madam, how terrible is the isolation of a girl in Minna Wroe's position--nay, for the matter of that, of your own housemaid, of cook, or parlour-maid, in that vast, unsympathetic, human ant-hill?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading She wanted her old friend to do everything that would make him into a great sculptor, of course; but still, say what you will about it, it's very hard to have your one interest in life taken far away from you, and to be left utterly alone and self-contained in the great dreary world of London.