adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
appealingadjectiveUS /əˈpiːlɪŋ/
able to attract interest or draw favorable attention
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
bay-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
boreverbUS /bɔːr/
cause to be bored
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
chairsnounUS /tʃerz/
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
comesnounUS /kʌmz/
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
DenounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
deafnessnounUS /ˈdefnəs/
partial or complete loss of hearing
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
DescendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
dimmernounUS /ˈdɪmər/
a rheostat that varies the current through an electric light in order to control the level of illumination
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
familiesnounUS /ˈfæməliz/
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
fops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
Gerty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
grand-uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
hostessesnounUS /ˈhoʊstəsəz/
plural of “hostess” — a woman host
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
Lauzun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
lovingadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvɪŋ/
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
Martha's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
motherlyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌðərli/
befitting a mother; warm and nurturing
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
ownernounUS /ˈoʊnər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
peacefullyadverbUS /ˈpiːsfəli/
in a peaceful manner
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
QuakernounUS /ˈkweɪkər/
a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
quartered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
RevolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
sacredadjectiveUS /ˈseɪkrəd/
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
seatnounUS /siːt/
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
self-sacrificenoun
acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
SpectatornounUS /ˈspekteɪtər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
successiveadjectiveUS /səkˈsesɪv/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
Tatler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Martha's sweet face was softened by advancing deafness and by that gentle, appealing look which comes when mind and memory grow a little dimmer, though the loving nature knows no change.
wearyverbUS /ˈwɪri/
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading The painted tiles around the open fire looked as if their fops and fine ladies had stepped out of the Spectator and the Tatler; the great mahogany chairs looked as hospitable as when the French officers were quartered in the house during the Revolution, and its Quaker owner, Miss Martha's grand-uncle, had carried out a seat that the weary sentinel might sit down.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Stephen and his sister went back that night to their kind hostesses, Miss Martha and Miss Amy, the soft hearts of those dear old ladies were melted in an instant by the story of Gerty's courage and self-sacrifice.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They had lived peacefully all their lives in that motherly old house by the bay-side, where successive generations had lived before them.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Descended from one of those families of Quaker beauties whom De Lauzun celebrated, they bore the memory of those romantic lives, as something very sacred, in hearts which perhaps held as genuine romances of their own.
