Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Scenes and Characters
Scenes and Characters

Chapter VII · The Brothers

Cover illustration for Scenes and Characters
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
“Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Scenes and Characters

Chapter VII · The Brothers

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
Line 2
“Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
Line 3
IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
Line 4
Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Line 5
On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

Dost auxiliary verb US /dɑːst/

an old form of “do”, used with “thou”

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Handsome noun US /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Thou pronoun US /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading ““Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?””

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.”

All words in this reading · 117

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 “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

acknowledge

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

always

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

Bombylius

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

brother

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

brothers

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

call

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

class

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

Claude

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

clear

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

communicated

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

creature's

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

creatures

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

dostauxiliary verbUS /dɑːst/

an old form of “do”, used with “thou”

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

eager

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

eldest

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

father

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

fellow

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

first-born

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

fly

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

foreseen

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

friend

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

fulfilled

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

funny

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Genus

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

holidays

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

idleness

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

inquiries

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

intended

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

introducing

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

known

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

learn

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

like

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Lily's

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Majus

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

Maurice

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

meet

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

meeting

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

Miss

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Monday

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

more

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

now

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

observations

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

only

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

other

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

perfections

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

refused

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

Reginald

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

reply

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

result

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

room

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

said

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

shown

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

smiled

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

sounding

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

species

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

spent

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

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

spoke

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

spring

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

strangers

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Sunday

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

Tis

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

From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

very

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.

Weston's

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

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.

wish

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

From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.