Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
blue-grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
Celia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
corridor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
decision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
fail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
garlanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
graceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
intensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
leant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
narrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
neighbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
nuisance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
oval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
pallid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
palpable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
personality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
puckered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
shameful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
tenderness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
tightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
vaguely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.
violet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.
