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The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Scarlet Pimpernel

Chapter VI · An Exquisite of ’92

An Exquisite of ’92, section 1: Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty. Tall, above the average, even for an E
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.
Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.
It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.
He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.
Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Chapter VI · An Exquisite of ’92

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.
Line 2
Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.
Line 3
It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.
Line 4
He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.
Line 5
Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

Learner Dictionary

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

chronicles noun US /ˈkrɑːnɪkəlz/

plural of “chronicle” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading “Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.”

Collocations
Sir PercyA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
Percy BlakeneyA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 138

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1792

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

abroad

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

ago

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

all

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

artistic

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

aver

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

average

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

Bart

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

Bath

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

beautiful

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

Blakeney

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

blue

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

brilliant

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

bringing

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

British

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

Britisher

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

broad-shouldered

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

built

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

called

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

certain

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

chroniclers

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

chroniclesnounUS /ˈkrɑːnɪkəlz/

plural of “chronicle” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

circles

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

clearly-cut

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

clever

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

competitors

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

deep-set

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

disfigure

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

dullest

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

début

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

England

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

Englishman

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

expression

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

eyes

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

fascinating

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

fashionable

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

fashions

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

French

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

friend

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

good-looking

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

grace

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

greatest

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

home

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

inane

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

inform

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

intimate

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

journeys

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

Just

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

known

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

laugh

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

lazy

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

leader

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

London

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

made

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

many

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

Marguerite

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

massively

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

matrimonial

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

men

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

moment

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

most

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

mouth

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

nearly

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From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

now

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

Parisian

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From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

Percy

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

perpetual

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

place

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

pretty

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

Prince

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

prize

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

richest

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

secured

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

set

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

side

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

Sir

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

sleepiest

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

social

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

society

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

St

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

strong

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

taking

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

Tall

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

there

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

thirty

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

two

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

unusually

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

upheaval

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

very

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

Wales

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

walls

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

wife

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

From this reading It was nearly a year ago now that Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., one of the richest men in England, leader of all the fashions, and intimate friend of the Prince of Wales, had astonished fashionable society in London and Bath by bringing home, from one of his journeys abroad, a beautiful, fascinating, clever, French wife.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

woman

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

world

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

From this reading Marguerite St. Just had first made her _début_ in artistic Parisian circles, at the very moment when the greatest social upheaval the world has ever known was taking place within its very walls.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Tall, above the average, even for an Englishman, broad-shouldered and massively built, he would have been called unusually good-looking, but for a certain lazy expression in his deep-set blue eyes, and that perpetual inane laugh which seemed to disfigure his strong, clearly-cut mouth.

yawning

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

From this reading He, the sleepiest, dullest, most British Britisher that had ever set a pretty woman yawning, had secured a brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chroniclers aver, there had been many competitors.

year

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

From this reading Sir Percy Blakeney, as the chronicles of the time inform us, was in this year of grace 1792, still a year or two on the right side of thirty.