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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
absent-mindedness
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
affronted
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
agreeable
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
all
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From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
anxieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
any
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
aspect
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From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
Balthazar
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From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
bosom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
chemistry
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From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
chose
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
Claes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
Claes's
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From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
country-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
dinner-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
intimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
laboratory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
perpetual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
unwilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he went to walk and did not return till the following day, leaving Madame Claes a prey to mortal anxiety during the night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Balthazar went nowhere, shut himself up in his laboratory all day, sometimes stayed there all night, and only appeared in the bosom of his family at dinner-time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it were that society was affronted by his perpetual absent-mindedness and chose to think itself in the way, or that Madame Claes’s secret anxieties made her less agreeable than before, certain it is that she no longer saw any but her intimate friends.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the second year he no longer passed the summer at his country-house, and his wife was unwilling to live there alone.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years after the winter when Monsieur Claes returned to chemistry, the aspect of his house was changed.
