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 I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
accompany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
actions
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From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
add
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From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
alleging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
communicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
emptiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
insensibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
insist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
isolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
models
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
perfection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
Petersburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
relations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
sensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
strenuously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
transformation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
unwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
urged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
villa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was then quite well enough to accompany him, but he urged me not to do so, alleging as his reason my state of health.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I had been very unwell before we left St. Petersburg, and instead of going home we moved into a villa at a short distance from the city, where my husband left me while he went to see his mother.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without him I felt myself truly in the midst of emptiness and isolation; but when he returned I perceived that his presence no longer added to my life what it had been wont to add.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those former relations, when any thought, any sensation, not communicated to him, oppressed me like a crime; when all his actions, all his words, appeared to me models of perfection; when, from sheer joy, we would laugh at nothing, looking at each other; those relations had so insensibly changed into something quite different, that we ourselves hardly admitted the transformation.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I quite understood that he was not really afraid of my health, but he was possessed by the idea that it would not be good for us to be in the country; I did not insist very strenuously, and remained where I was.
