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South Wind
South Wind

Chapter I

Cover illustration for South Wind
Context Illustration Reading 1/55 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.
It was an old rule.
Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.
Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.
On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

South Wind

Chapter I

Reading 1/55 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.
Line 2
It was an old rule.
Line 3
Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.
Line 4
Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.
Line 5
On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.”

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.”

All words in this reading · 122

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 The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

aboriginals

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

African

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

age

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was an old rule.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

Anthropophagoi

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

atmospheric

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

barter

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

beauty

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

bibliographer

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

bygone

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

came

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

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

canoes

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

centuries

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

concerned

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

conditions

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

contrary

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

crazy

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

dated

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

days

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

down

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

Duchess

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

Eames

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

earlier

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

eggs

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

else

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

established

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

exception

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

face

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

faded

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

far

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

favourable

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

French

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

gazelle

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

girls

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

glens-serpent-skins

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

gums

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

hairy

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

horns

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

immemorial

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

imposing

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

inclined

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

instance

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was an old rule.

kind-hearted

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

knew

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

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

lady

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

likely

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

lobsters

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

Manigones

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

Martino

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

mature

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

Merdones

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

more

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Nepenthe

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

NobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

old

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

From this reading It was an old rule.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

ostrich

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

other

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

paddle

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

peasant

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

period

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Phoenician

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Phoenicians

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

powder

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

precedent

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

produce

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

profile

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

reason

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

renowned

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

rule

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

run

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

San

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

savage

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

saw

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

second

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Septocardes

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

super-excellent

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

traced

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

Troglodytes

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

used

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

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

vogue

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

From this reading Nobody knew when it first came into vogue.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

why

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

From this reading Mr. Eames, bibliographer of Nepenthe, had traced it down to the second Phoenician period, but saw no reason why the Phoenicians, more than anybody else, should have established the precedent.

winter-time

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

From this reading The Duchess of San Martino, a kind-hearted and imposing lady of mature age who, under favourable atmospheric conditions (in winter-time, for instance, when the powder was not so likely to run down her face), might have passed, so far as profile was concerned, for a faded French beauty of bygone centuries--the Duchess was no exception to the rule.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading On the contrary, he was inclined to think that it dated from yet earlier days; days when the Troglodytes, Manigones, Septocardes, Merdones, Anthropophagoi and other hairy aboriginals used to paddle across, in crazy canoes, to barter the produce of their savage African glens-serpent-skins, and gums, and gazelle horns, and ostrich eggs--for those super-excellent lobsters and peasant girls for which Nepenthe had been renowned from time immemorial.