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.