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Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter X · Effect of the Letter—sunrise

Effect of the Letter—sunrise, section 1: At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs. Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.
Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.
Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”
The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.
Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter X · Effect of the Letter—sunrise

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.
Line 2
Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.
Line 3
Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”
Line 4
The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.
Line 5
Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

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 “The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.””

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.”

All words in this reading · 114

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 At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

accessories

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

aged

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

all

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

assume

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

ate

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

atmosphere

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

bachelor's

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

Bathsheba

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

beaming

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

became

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

blot

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

Boldwood

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

Boldwood's

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

changed

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

colourless

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

continually

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

crystal

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

Day

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

deep

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

dictum

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

down

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

drank

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

dusk

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

eagle

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

eagle's

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

evening

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

extraneous

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

eye

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

fancy

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

fastening

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

fire

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

gaze

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

grave

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

imbibed

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

injunction

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

large

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

lasting

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

letter

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

like

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

logs

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

mantel-shelf

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

MARRY

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

MEpronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

now

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

objects

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

origin

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

parlour

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

pert

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

Puritan

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

quiet

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

read

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

red

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

remote

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

retina

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

sat

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

seal

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

sent

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

sight

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

solemnity

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

spread

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

St

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

substances

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

Sunday

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

supper

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

surmounted

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

tenor

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

thereon

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

thoughtlessness

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

time-piece

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

tone

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

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

too

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

usual

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

Valentine's

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

From this reading At dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine’s Day, Boldwood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire of aged logs.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

week

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

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Here, in the quiet of Boldwood’s parlour, where everything that was not grave was extraneous, and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories now.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The pert injunction was like those crystal substances which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects about them.

wings

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

From this reading Upon the mantel-shelf before him was a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon the eagle’s wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.

words

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

From this reading Here the bachelor’s gaze was continually fastening itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he still read in fancy the words thereon, although they were too remote for his sight,— “MARRY ME.”