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Ruth Erskine's Son
Ruth Erskine's Son

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Ruth Erskine's Son
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.
The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.
It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.
The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.
It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ruth Erskine's Son

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.
Line 2
The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.
Line 3
It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.
Line 4
The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.
Line 5
It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.”

SPOILED adjective US /spɔɪld/

given too much comfort or indulgence

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

air

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

all

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

autumn

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

balmy

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

bathed

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

brilliant

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

Burnham

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

Burnham's

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

change

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

changeful

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

colorings

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

coming

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

crisp

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

crispness

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

customary

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

day

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

days

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

deep-toned

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

delight

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

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

departed

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

distance

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

dress

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

effect

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

Erskine

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

flowers

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

gardens

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

glorified

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

glory

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

gorgeous

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

hills

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

hint

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

ideal

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

late

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

live

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

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

lovely

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

markedly

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

more

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

MOTHER

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

near

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

October

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

old

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

place

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

put

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

ravishing

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

Ruth

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

showed

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

simply

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

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

soft

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

sometimes

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

speak

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

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

SPOILEDadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/

given too much comfort or indulgence

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

summer

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

sun-setting

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

suns

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

unusually

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

From this reading The Burnham place had never looked more lovely than it did that afternoon, bathed in the soft glory of an unusually brilliant sun-setting.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was, in short, one of those days when it is, or should be, a delight simply to live.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The hills in the near distance had put on their glorified autumn dress, and the flowers in the gardens were all of the gorgeous or deep-toned colorings that tell of summer suns and autumn crispness.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

winter

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

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A SPOILED MOTHER IT had been an ideal October day: one of those ravishing days that come sometimes in late autumn when, though the air is crisp with the hint of a coming winter, it is at the same time balmy with the memory of the departed summer.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading It was customary to speak of this as the old Burnham place; yet nothing in Ruth Erskine Burnham's changeful life showed more markedly the effect of change than did this.