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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 The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
admissible
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
all
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
any
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
attempt
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
balcony
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
best
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
blinds
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
carnivals
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
cellar
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
chairs
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
cheerful
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
chill
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
Corso
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
damask
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
days
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
down
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
enjoyed
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
faded
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
family
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
few
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
fifty
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
filled
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
frescos
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
furnished
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
gilding
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
giving
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
green
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
hours
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
hundred
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
impression
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
looking
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
looks
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
masterpieces
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
moments
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
most
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
much
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
often
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
old
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
palace
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
past
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
place
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
probably
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
really
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
remain
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From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
saw
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
scantily
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
sculpture
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From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
sculpture-gallery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
shabbily
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
tarnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has faded frescos, and tarnished gilding, and green blinds, and a few damask chairs still remain in it.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
There
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From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
two
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
vain
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From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
Vatican
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On Monday we all went to the sculpture-gallery of the Vatican, and saw as much of the sculpture as we could in the three hours during which the public are admissible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There were a few things which I really enjoyed, and a few moments during which I really seemed to see them; but it is in vain to attempt giving the impression produced by masterpieces of art, and most in vain when we see them best.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is a small balcony, looking down on the Corso, which probably has often been filled with a merry little family party, in the carnivals of days long past.
years
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From this reading The palace is about two hundred and fifty years old, and looks as if it had never been a very cheerful place; most shabbily and scantily furnished, moreover, and as chill as any cellar.