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Literature and Life (Complete)
Literature and Life (Complete)

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Literature and Life (Complete)
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.
It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.
I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.
It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.
It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Literature and Life (Complete)

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.
Line 2
It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.
Line 3
I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.
Line 4
It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.
Line 5
It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.”

Conscience noun US /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.”

Imagine noun US /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading “In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.”

All words in this reading · 118

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 It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

absence

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

alien

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

all

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

almost

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

American

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

anew

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

anxiety

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

any

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

away

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

best

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

Boston

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

brief

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

care

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

carriage

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

cast

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

characterizes

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

clear

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

committed

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

destination

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

dirty

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

dismaying

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

drove

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

elderly

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

Europe

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

experience

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

expresses

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

eyes

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

face

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

familiarizes

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

felt

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

forces

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

grapple

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

guilty

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

hackman

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

impossible

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

lying

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

moment

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

native

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

New

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

objective

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

patient

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

penance

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

perfectly

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

physiognomy

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

ransack

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

ready

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

reference

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From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

requiring

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

rigorous

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

see

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

serious

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

sins

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

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

station

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

streets

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

strenuous

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

things

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

unfriendly

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

unkind

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a little rigorous with us, as requiring us to have a clear mind; but it was not unfriendly, not unkind, and it was patient from long experience.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

window

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

From this reading It is a face that expresses care, even to the point of anxiety, and it looked into the window of our carriage with the serious eyes of our elderly hackman to make perfectly sure of our destination before we drove away from the station.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I felt almost as if I had brought the dirty streets with me, and were guilty of having left them lying about, so impossible were they with reference to the Boston face.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.

yield

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

York

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

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In New York you see the American face as Europe characterizes it; in Boston you see it as it characterizes Europe; and it is in Boston that you can best imagine the strenuous grapple of the native forces which all alien things must yield to till they take the American cast.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It is almost dismaying, that physiognomy, before it familiarizes itself anew; and in the brief first moment while it is yet objective, you ransack your conscience for any sins you may have committed in your absence from it and make ready to do penance for them.