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Bressant: A Novel
Bressant: A Novel

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Bressant: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.
Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.
The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.
A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.
The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Bressant: A Novel

Chapter I

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.
Line 2
Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.
Line 3
The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.
Line 4
A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.
Line 5
The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

arm

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

back

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

balcony-railing

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

bristly

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

carefully

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

ceremony

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

completed

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

delivered

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

delivery

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

developments

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

direction

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

down

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

face

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

fallen

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

father's

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

forth

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

fragrant

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

fresh

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

further

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

hand

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

inches

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

lady

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

leaned

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

letter

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

moment

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

mouth

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

nose

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.

out

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

own

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

place

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

placed

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

pocket

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

post-mark

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

postman

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

pretty

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

professor

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

reach

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

receive

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

scrutinized

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

seal

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

SIGNS

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

From this reading SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.

slipper

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

spectacles

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

stepping

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

stretched

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

strongly-marked

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

sweet

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

THUNDER-SHOWER

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

From this reading SIGNS OF A THUNDER-SHOWER.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

turn

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

two

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

very

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

From this reading Before the delivery of the letter, a very pretty little ceremony took place.

visage

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

waistcoat

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

From this reading The professor took his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket, placed them carefully upon his strongly-marked nose, and scrutinized in turn the direction, post-mark, and seal.

waited

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A moment after, the ceremony was completed, the letter delivered, and the postman, stepping over her father's fallen slipper, leaned against the balcony-railing, and waited for further developments.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

whisked

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

wrinkled

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

wrist

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.

young

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

From this reading The professor had stretched forth his hand to receive it, when, by a sudden turn of the wrist and arm, the young lady whisked it out of his reach and behind her back, and in place of it brought down her fresh, sweet face with its fragrant mouth to within two inches of his own wrinkled and bristly visage.