adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
affinitynounUS /əˈfɪnəti/
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Meantime, he led a sufficiently agreeable life.
aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/
at or in the front
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
Alighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
Barfoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
Brissendens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
correspondentnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndənt/
someone who communicates by means of letters
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
culturedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltʃərd/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
freedomnounUS /ˈfriːdəm/
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
HONOURnounUS /ˈɑːnər/
the state of being honored
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
HotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
insensiblyadverb
in a numb manner; without feeling
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
intimacynounUS /ˈɪntəməsi/
close or warm friendship
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Meantime, he led a sufficiently agreeable life.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Meantime, he led a sufficiently agreeable life.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
MeantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime, he led a sufficiently agreeable life.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
possessverbUS /pəˈzes/
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
prominencenounUS /ˈprɑːmənəns/
the state of being prominent: widely known or eminent
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
RETREATnounUS /riˈtriːt/
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
SavoynounUS /səˈvɔɪ/
a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern France, western Switzerland, and northwestern Italy
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
seekverbUS /siːk/
try to get or reach
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
soulsnounUS /soʊlz/
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Meantime, he led a sufficiently agreeable life.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the present he had no need of a more private dwelling; he could not see more than a few days ahead; his next decisive step was as uncertain as it had been during the first few months after his coming back from the East.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Brissendens were not in town, but his growing intimacy with that family had extended his social outlook, and in a direction correspondent with the change in his own circumstances.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading RETREAT WITH HONOUR Alighting, on his return to London, at the Savoy Hotel, Barfoot insensibly prolonged his stay there.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He was making friends in the world with which he had a natural affinity; that of wealthy and cultured people who seek no prominence, who shrink from contact with the circles known as “smart,” who possess their souls in quiet freedom.
