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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
back
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From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
Bean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
chimney-cupboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
clanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
compass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
drunken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
Eugene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
Eugene's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
expression
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From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
extended
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From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
father
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From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
fell
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From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
fiddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
fingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
gantlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
halts
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From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
Hautville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
imperfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
knocker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
lessons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
Louis's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
Madelon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
masculine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
musical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
overcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
picking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
powerless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
reached
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From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Madelon and Eugene reached the door at the same time, and Margaret Bean extended another letter.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
Shakespeare
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From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
spelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
squeak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
stammering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
strains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
syllables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
tune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
tutored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Eugene's musical expression was in his throat alone; his fingers were almost powerless to bring out the meaning of sweet sounds.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Margaret Bean came to the door the second time she heard the squeak of the fiddle, and clanged the knocker loud to overcome it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A drunken crew on a rolling vessel might have danced to the tune that Eugene Hautville fingered on his brother's fiddle that morning while his sister walked back and forth overhead, running the gantlet, as it were, of an agony which his masculine imagination could not compass, well tutored as it was by the lessons of his Shakespeare book.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
word
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From this reading After his father and brothers were gone, Eugene got Louis's fiddle out of the chimney-cupboard and fell to playing with an imperfect touch, picking out a tune slowly, with halts between the strains, as if he spelled a word with stammering syllables.
