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 A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
acacia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
adjoined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
Aeolian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
atmosphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
Balbilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
bench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
bushes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
Caesareum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
compose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
dialect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
enlivened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
flowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
foliage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
fond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
fragrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
gap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
Greek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
impressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
indescribably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
lingering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
mirror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
observe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
papyrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
paths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
poetess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
promenaders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
quit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
residing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
retentive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
roll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
Sabina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
screened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
seek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
shaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
shells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
shrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
shrubbery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
sparkling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
sunny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
twenty-ninth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
verses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
wafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A lovely garden adjoined the Caesareum, the palace in which Sabina was residing.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balbilla was fond of lingering there, and as the morning of the twenty-ninth of December was particularly brilliant--the sky and its infinite mirror the sea, gleaming in indescribably deep blue, while the fragrance of a flowering shrub was wafted in at her window like an invitation to quit the house she had sought a certain bench which, though placed in a sunny spot, was slightly shaded by an acacia.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This seat was screened from the more public paths by bushes; the promenaders who did not seek Balbilla could not observe her here, but she could command a view, through a gap in the foliage, of the path, which was strewn with small shells.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had determined to keep her word to learn to speak, write, and compose verses in the Aeolian dialect of the Greek tongue.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day, however, the young poetess was far from feeling any curiosity; instead of gazing at the shrubbery enlivened by birds, at the clear atmosphere or the sparkling sea, her eyes were fixed on a yellow roll of papyrus and she was impressing very dry details on her retentive memory.
