adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
avoidverbUS /əˈvɔɪd/
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
endowedadjectiveUS /enˈdaʊd/
provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
fearedverbUS /fɪrd/
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
GreyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
guestnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
honouredverbUS /ˈɑːnərd/
past form of “honour” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
immaterialadjectiveUS /ˌɪməˈtɪriəl/
of no importance or relevance especially to a law case
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
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 It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
NaturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
nineteennounUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
passportnounUS /ˈpæspɔːrt/
any authorization to pass or go somewhere
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
powerfuladjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərfəl/
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
professingnounUS /prəˈfesɪŋ/
an open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
reputationnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading The reputation of Mr. Grey had always made him an honoured guest among the powerful and the great.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether this distinction arise from fortune, family, or talent, is immaterial; but certain it is, to enter into high society, a man must either have blood, a million, or a genius.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Although busied with his studies, and professing “not to visit,” Vivian could not avoid occasionally finding himself in company in which boys should never be seen; and, what was still worse, from a certain social spirit, an indefinable tact with which Nature had endowed him, this boy of nineteen began to think this society delightful.
youthnounUS /juːθ/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading It was for this reason that he had always been anxious that his son should be at home as little as possible; for he feared for a youth the fascination of London society.
