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 THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
affair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
Beatrix's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
comply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
detachment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
difference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
exercised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
grace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
Grafton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
handled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
involved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
Lassigny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
Marquis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
pleasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
possess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His family appeared to possess and to exercise complete liberty of action, and he to fall in with their wishes as much as they with his.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
sphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
SYSTEM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
wishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE SYSTEM Except where his feelings were deeply involved, as they had been in that matter of Beatrix's affair with the Marquis de Lassigny, George Grafton was a man who exercised authority with an easy grace which those who came within its sphere scarcely realised as authority, so much did his wishes seem to comply with their own.
wonted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was in small matters; but there had never been any big difference of desire, except in Beatrix's affair, which he had not handled with his wonted easy detachment.
worth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any of them wanted to do anything that he did not care about, he had only to say that he didn't care about it, and they not only didn't do it, but didn't want to do it, because there was nothing so well worth doing as pleasing him.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this was because they all loved one another, and they had kept him young between them.
