adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
bentnounUS /bent/
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
cigarette-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
cigarette-cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/
plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
contentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/
coins made of gold
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
HelennounUS /ˈhelən/
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
lastingadjectiveUS /ˈlæstɪŋ/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
loannounUS /loʊn/
the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
medalsnounUS /ˈmedəlz/
plural of “medal” — an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
mezzotints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
neglectverbUS /nəˈɡlekt/
leave undone or leave out
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
postersnounUS /ˈpoʊstərz/
plural of “poster” — a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
restitutionnounUS /ˌrestɪˈtuːʃən/
a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
ringverbUS /rɪŋ/
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
rownounUS /roʊ/
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
seal-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
shopverbUS /ʃɑːp/
do one's shopping
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading The two objects of value in the tray upon which her eyes first fell were the gold seal-ring with which Philip had sealed his letters to her, and, lying next to it, his gold watch!
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was something almost human in the way the ring and watch spoke to her from the past--in the way they appealed to her to rescue them from the surroundings to which they had been abandoned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And she scanned the contents of the window with the eye of one who now saw in everything only something which might give Philip pleasure.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were some old mezzotints in the window of the loan shop, a string of coins and medals, a row of new French posters; and far down to the front a tray filled with gold and silver cigarette-cases and watches and rings.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It occurred to Helen, who was still bent on making restitution for her neglect, that a cigarette-case would be more appropriate for a man than flowers, and more lasting.
