adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
aestheticadjectiveUS /esˈθetɪk/
relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
assimilationnounUS /əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/
the state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
cathedralsnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəlz/
plural of “cathedral” — any large and important church
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
façade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
fifteen-centime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
GothicadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːθɪk/
characteristic of the style of type commonly used for printing German
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
highlyadverbUS /ˈhaɪli/
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
Huysmans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
ideasnounUS /aɪˈdiːəz/
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
imaginativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
insistedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəd/
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
intimationnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃən/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
lettingnounUS /ˈletɪŋ/
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
Marshall-Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
PagenounUS /peɪdʒ/
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
SYLVIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
Tapisnoun
a heavy textile with a woven design; used for curtains and upholstery
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
TELLSnounUS /telz/
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her powers of aesthetic assimilation seemed to be proof against this extraordinary mixture of impressions.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
TRUTHnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
Vert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was alternately reading Huysmans' highly imaginative ideas on Gothic cathedrals, and letting her eyes stray up and down the long façade of the great Louis.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On which intimation Sylvia and Page had strolled off to do some exploring.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had insisted that she would be entirely happy there in the sun, for an hour at least, especially if she were left in solitude with her book.
yellow-painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYLVIA TELLS THE TRUTH They left Mrs. Marshall-Smith with a book, seated on a little yellow-painted iron chair, the fifteen-centime kind, at the top of the great flight of steps leading down to the wide green expanse of the Tapis Vert.
