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"I Say No"
"I Say No"

Chapter XIII · Polly and Sally

Cover illustration for "I Say No"
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!
Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?
A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.
“I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”
Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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"I Say No"

Chapter XIII · Polly and Sally

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!
Line 2
Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?
Line 3
A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.
Line 4
“I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”
Line 5
Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

Learner Dictionary

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

Buoyant adjective US /ˈbɔɪənt/

able to float or rise easily in water

From this reading “A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.”

Precious adjective US /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading “A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading ““I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.””

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.””

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!”

All words in this reading · 110

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 Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

abroad

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

accustomed

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

acquaintances

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

all

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

amusement

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

approaches

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

better

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

buoyantadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪənt/

able to float or rise easily in water

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

care

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

Cecilia's

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

contrast

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

cry

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

despair

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

disheartening

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

Emily

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

Emily's

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

endeavoring

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

failed

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

faith

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

finding

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

force

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

frequent

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

friend

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

go

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

happy

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

hardly

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

heart

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

home

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

inevitable

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

inexhaustible

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

instinct

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

insufficient

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

joyously-written

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

letter

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

lives

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

London

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

lost

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

making

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

moment

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

moral

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

most

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

new

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

notice

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

number

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

Observant

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

only

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

out

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

parks

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

persons

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

places

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

position

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

present

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

proves

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

qualities

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

read

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

resists

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

resolution

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

respect

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

result

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

sadly

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

seeing

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

solitary

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

stay

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

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

stealthy

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

strangers

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

Switzerland

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

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

taking

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

temperament

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I shall only cry,” Emily thought, “if I stay at home; better go out.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

trouble

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

varieties

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

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

vary

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

virtuous

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

walk

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

From this reading Observant persons, accustomed to frequent the London parks, can hardly have failed to notice the number of solitary strangers sadly endeavoring to vary their lives by taking a walk.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading A buoyant temperament is of all moral qualities the most precious, in this respect; it is the one force in us--when virtuous resolution proves insufficient--which resists by instinct the stealthy approaches of despair.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Who, in Emily’s position, could have read that joyously-written letter from Switzerland, and not have lost heart and faith, for the moment at least, as the inevitable result?

WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without a care to trouble her; abroad or at home, finding inexhaustible varieties of amusement; seeing new places, making new acquaintances--what a disheartening contrast did Cecilia’s happy life present to the life of her friend!