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Squire Arden
Squire Arden

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Squire Arden
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.
The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.
He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.
It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.
He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Squire Arden

Chapter III

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.
Line 2
The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.
Line 3
He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.
Line 4
It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.
Line 5
He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.”

Amid preposition US /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading “The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

age

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

all

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

any

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

beard

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

black

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

brilliant

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

call

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

came

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

certainly

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

county

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

darker

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

days

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

Doctor's

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

Dr

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

eagle

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

eyes

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

face

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

feeble

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

fulness

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

glory

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

going

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

groped

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

hair

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

handsomest

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

hard

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

human

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

imposing

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

inappropriate

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

inspected

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

less

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

like

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

lines

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

lurked

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

man

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

more

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

much

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

nest

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

now

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

old

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

orbs

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

pair

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

peered

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

perhaps

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

pioneers

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

powerful

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

Rector

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

seen

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

short-sighted

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

slim

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

softened

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

Somers

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

straight

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

suavity

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.

superfluity

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

superfluous

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

tall

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading He was a tall, straight, slim, but powerful old man, with nothing superfluous about him except his beard, which in those days was certainly a superfluity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

warn

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

way

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

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

white

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

From this reading It was white, and so was his hair; but his eyes were so much darker than any human eyes that were ever seen, that to call them black was not in the least inappropriate.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dr. Somers came in, with a pair of eagle eyes going before him, as it seemed, like pioneers, to warn him of what was in his way.

wrinkles

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

From this reading The Rector peered and groped with the short-sighted feeble orbs which lurked amid a nest of wrinkles, but the Doctor’s brilliant black eyes went on before him and inspected everything.

youth

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

From this reading He had been the handsomest man in the county in his youth, and he was not less so now--perhaps more, with all the imposing glory of his white hair, and the suavity of age that had softened the lines in his face--lines which might have been a little hard in the fulness of his strength.