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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
ambition
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
attained
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
Beatrix's
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From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
Church
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
desire
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
distinguished
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
Esmond
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspəʊzd/
left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
eyes
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From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
feverish
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
forwarded
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
gain
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
game
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
gentleman's
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
kind
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From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
law
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
letters
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
lost
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
military
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From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
more
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From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
motive
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
nobility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
now
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
perhaps
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
plans
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From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
portion
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From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
practise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
promotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
quickest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
raise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
reputation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
requires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
risked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
speedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
stake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
Twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
wealth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
win
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.
won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.
