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The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for The House of the Seven Gables
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.
It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.
To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.
After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.
And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The House of the Seven Gables

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.
Line 2
It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.
Line 3
To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.
Line 4
After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.
Line 5
And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.”

Issued noun US /issued/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.”

Parlor noun US /ˈpɑːrlər/

an old-fashioned sitting room

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Whence adverb US /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

annihilated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

appeared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

aside

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

aspect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

beholder's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

certain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

darkening

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

doubtful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

enfeebled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

entreaty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

fellness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

fierce

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

fire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

forth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

frightful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

grapes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

grim

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

hatred

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

Hepzibah

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

hot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

impression

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

inexpressibly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

instant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

iron-branded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

issuednounUS /issued/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

Judge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.

Judge's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

kindled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.

less

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

melt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

miserable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

murmur

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

pace

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/

an old-fashioned sitting room

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

pity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

pumpkins

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

purple

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

purpose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

Pyncheon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.

quick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

red

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

rendered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

resolute

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

restrained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

revelation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To know Judge Pyncheon was to see him at that moment.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

smile

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

sooner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

sound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

sultriness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

threshold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

turn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

voice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading For the instant, it appeared doubtful whether it were not the Judge’s resolute purpose to set Hepzibah aside, and step across the threshold into the parlor, whence issued that broken and miserable murmur of entreaty.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

whole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was not pity that restrained him, for, at the first sound of the enfeebled voice, a red fire kindled in his eyes, and he made a quick pace forward, with something inexpressibly fierce and grim darkening forth, as it were, out of the whole man.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.

wrath

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And it rendered his aspect not the less, but more frightful, that it seemed not to express wrath or hatred, but a certain hot fellness of purpose, which annihilated everything but itself.

yellow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After such a revelation, let him smile with what sultriness he would, he could much sooner turn grapes purple, or pumpkins yellow, than melt the iron-branded impression out of the beholder’s memory.