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 This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
absorbed
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From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
addressing
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
affection
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
all
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
anxieties
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
anxiety
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
bride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
briefly
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
charming
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
confidante
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From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
constant
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
courtship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
coyness
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
day
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From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
days
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From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
declining
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
deferred
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
detail
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
Diary's
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
discovered
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
earlier
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From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
early
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
emotions
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
enamoured
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From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
entering
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
favoured
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
fears
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
five
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From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
full
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
half-unrevealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
hasten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
health
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
Helen
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
intercourse
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
intimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
joy
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
Lady
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
letter
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
most
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
mystic
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
naming
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From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
naturally
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
natures
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
new
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
own
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From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
Percival
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
plighted
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From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
progress
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
rapid
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From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
relations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
shrunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
sister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the earlier days of his courtship, Percival, enamoured and absorbed for the first time in his life, did not hasten to make his mother the confidante of his happiness.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
unfeeling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
unseasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The progress of affection between natures like those of Percival and Helen, favoured by free and constant intercourse, was naturally rapid.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely five weeks from the day he had first seen Helen, and he already regarded her as his plighted bride.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This not alone from that indescribable coyness which all have experienced in addressing even those with whom they are most intimate, in the early, half-unrevealed, and mystic emotions of first love, but because Lady Diary’s letters had been so full of her sister’s declining health, of her own anxieties and fears, that he had shrunk from giving her a new subject of anxiety; and a confidence full of hope and joy seemed to him unfeeling and unseasonable.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had written but twice; and though he said briefly, in the second letter, that he had discovered two relations, both interesting and one charming, he had deferred naming them or entering into detail.
