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 THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
ancestry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
approach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
assigned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
beholder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
Cecilia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
china
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
closet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
collection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
consigned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
embellishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
evidences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
female
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
frowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
galleries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
intently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
Kenelm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
lobbies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
paintings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
portrait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
portraits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
pretend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
princeliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
receptacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
reception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
sleeping-chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
smiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
Squire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
strikes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
swarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
Travers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They not only occupied a considerable space on the walls of the reception rooms, but swarmed into the principal sleeping-chambers, and smiled or frowned on the beholder from dark passages and remote lobbies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE house of Mr. Travers contained a considerable collection of family portraits, few of them well painted, but the Squire was evidently proud of such evidences of ancestry.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One morning, Cecilia, on her way to the china closet, found Kenelm gazing very intently upon a female portrait consigned to one of those obscure receptacles by which through a back staircase he gained the only approach from the hall to his chamber.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And the face itself is so lovely that it would add an embellishment to the princeliest galleries."
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't pretend to be a good judge of paintings," said Kenelm, as Cecilia paused beside him; "but it strikes me that this picture is very much better than most of those to which places of honour are assigned in your collection.