adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/
remote in manner
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
aristocratsnounUS /ərˈɪstəkræts/
plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
cleannessnounUS /ˈkliːnɪs/
the state of being clean; without dirt or other impurities
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
decencynounUS /ˈdiːsənsi/
the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
FriendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
Genevieve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
heart-companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
nicetiesnounUS /ˈnaɪsɪtiz/
plural of “nicety” — conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
self-respectnounUS /ˌselfrɪˈspekt/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
sordidnessnoun
sordid dirtiness
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
TheirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
unsulliedadjectiveUS /ənˈsʌlid/
spotlessly clean and fresh
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Theirs was a self-respect, a regard for the niceties and clean things of life, which had held them aloof from their kind.
wholesomeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊlsəm/
conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Friends did not come to them easily; nor had either ever possessed a really intimate friend, a heart-companion with whom to chum and have things in common.
working-classadjective
of those who work for wages especially manual or industrial laborers
From this reading Genevieve and Joe were working-class aristocrats.
wretchednessnoun
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading In an environment made up largely of sordidness and wretchedness they had kept themselves unsullied and wholesome.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The social instinct was strong in them, yet they had remained lonely because they could not satisfy that instinct and at that same time satisfy their desire for cleanness and decency.
