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Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance
Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance

Chapter II · Father and Son

Cover illustration for Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.
He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.
He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.
He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.
In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance

Chapter II · Father and Son

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.
Line 2
He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.
Line 3
He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.
Line 4
He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.
Line 5
In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

Learner Dictionary

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

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.”

Grasp noun US /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading “He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

acquire

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

Adam

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

admired

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

all

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

almost

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

appeared

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

august

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

care

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

coin

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

conceal

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

days

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

detested

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

distinction

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

doings

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

down

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

explain

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

false

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

glory

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

goes

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

graspnounUS /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

highly

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

inferiors

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

judge

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

judges

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

Justice-Clerk

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

known

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

lawyer

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

lawyers

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

less

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

Lord

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

love

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

loved

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

man

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

many

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

mechanical

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

movement

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

much

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

nature

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

often

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

omitted

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

out

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

perhaps

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

probable

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

silently

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

stranger

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

sufficed

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

too

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

trace

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

try

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

unconscious

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

unpopular

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

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

vanity

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

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

very

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

From this reading He did not try to be loved, he did not care to be; it is probable the very thought of it was a stranger to his mind.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

Weir

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

From this reading My Lord Justice-Clerk was known to many; the man Adam Weir perhaps to none.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In all the rest of his days and doings, not one trace of vanity appeared; and he went on through life with a mechanical movement, as of the unconscious; that was almost august.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He was an admired lawyer, a highly unpopular judge; and he looked down upon those who were his inferiors in either distinction, who were lawyers of less grasp or judges not so much detested.

wholly

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

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had nothing to explain or to conceal; he sufficed wholly and silently to himself; and that part of our nature which goes out (too often with false coin) to acquire glory or love, seemed in him to be omitted.