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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 ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
admonitions
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
advantages
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
any
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
aunt
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
back
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
becoming
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
begin
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
chair
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Charlotte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
Charlotte's
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
clear
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
close
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
dear
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
don't
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
drawing-room
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
emphasis
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
fire
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
flatter
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
Flaxman
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
front
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
gay
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From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
girl
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
gives
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Hugh
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
inspection
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
irreproachable
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Leyburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Leyburn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
made
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
manner
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From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
mean
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
nonsense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
perfectly
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From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
pockets
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
position
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
puzzled
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From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
recognize
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
rose
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From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
said
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
sentiments
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
shoulder
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From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
spare
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
Stuff
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From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
throwing
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From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
tone
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From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
trouser-knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
turned
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From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’
