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Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo
Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.
On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.
In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.
A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.
The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.
Line 2
On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.
Line 3
In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.
Line 4
A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.
Line 5
The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

Learner Dictionary

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

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

air

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

avenue

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

background

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

bewildering

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

blossom

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

blossoms

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

bordering

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

breath

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

built

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

came

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

clematis

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

clumps

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

clusters

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

colour

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

covered

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

curve

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

door

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

drooping

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

edge

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

exotic

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

fairyland

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

finding

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

front

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

gardens

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

glorious

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

GREX

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

heavy

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

HOME

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

hung

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

indeed

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

Lane

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

leading

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

like

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

made

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

maze

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

Mimosa

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

MISS

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

more

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

near

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

odours

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

orange-coloured

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

out

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

overhung

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

palace

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

perfumes

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

pergola

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

pink

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

place

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

purple

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

red

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

revealed

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

rhododendrons

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

Richard

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

roses

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

sea

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

side

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

smothered

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

snaky

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

terrace

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

there

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

trees

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

turn

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

From this reading A sudden turn revealed a long pergola, smothered in pink blossoms and leading to the edge of the terrace which overhung the sea.

up

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

Villa

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

vivid

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

way

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

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

white

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

From this reading In the background, bordering the gardens which were themselves a maze of colour, were great clumps of glorious purple rhododendrons, drooping clusters of red and white roses.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

windless

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

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

winter-garden

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

From this reading The villa itself, which seemed, indeed, more like a palace, was covered with vivid purple clematis, and from the open door of the winter-garden, which was built out from the front of the place in a great curve, there came, as he drew near, a bewildering breath of exotic odours.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On either side of him were drooping mimosa trees, heavy with the snaky, orange-coloured blossom whose perfumes hung heavy upon the windless air.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MISS GREX AT HOME Richard Lane, as he made his way up the avenue towards the Villa Mimosa, wondered whether he was not indeed finding his way into fairyland.