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A rogue's tragedy
A rogue's tragedy

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for A rogue's tragedy
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.
It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.
It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.
Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.
Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A rogue's tragedy

Chapter IX

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.
Line 2
It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.
Line 3
It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.
Line 4
Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.
Line 5
Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Splendour noun US /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.”

All words in this reading · 118

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 Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

abroad

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

all

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

always

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

angle

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

appropriately

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

Artistry

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

barrack-like

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

blank

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

brass

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

brick

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

buildings

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

called

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

channels

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

characteristic

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

city

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

combined

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

congeries

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

corner

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

criss-crossing

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

daring

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

depressing

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

deviated

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

doors

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

Dora

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

drawing

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

dwelling-blocks

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

effect

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

emancipate

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

end

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

eternal

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

expression

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

façade

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

founders

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

fulfil

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

futility

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

halted

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

heavy

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

imposing

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

Islands

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

level

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

like

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

lines

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

meshes

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

monotonous

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

night

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

parcelled-out

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

pattern

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

persistently

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

Po

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

porticoes

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

poured

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

produce

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

pumping-stations

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

rain

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

rainy

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

ranks

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

rectangular

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

reservoirs

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

rivers

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

Roman

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

roofs

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

ruled

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

scrupulously

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

set

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

shrunk

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

shyness

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

snow-shoe

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From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

soar

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

soul

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

squares

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

streets

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

struggling

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

suggested

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

system

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

there

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

timber

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

Turin

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

unenterprise

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

uniformity

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

unlovely

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

unoriginality

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

From this reading It was characteristic of it, of its unenterprise and unoriginality, that it had never deviated from the pattern set by its Roman founders.

utilitarianism

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

vast

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

waterworks

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

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

wedged

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

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It suggested, when the rain poured persistently, a vast congeries of waterworks, with reservoirs and pumping-stations all drawing from the rivers.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

wide

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

From this reading Its barrack-like uniformity of buildings; its shyness of imposing façade; its system of parcelled-out dwelling-blocks, called appropriately “Islands,” which were ruled, scrupulously rectangular, along the wide channels of its streets; its eternal monotonous brick and heavy porticoes, all combined to produce an effect of unlovely utilitarianism.

wings

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

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Turin, wedged into a corner between the Po and Dora, with all its ranks of lines and squares criss-crossing the angle like the meshes of a snow-shoe, was a depressing city to be abroad in on a rainy night.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Artistry, struggling here and there to emancipate itself, and soar above the level roofs on wings of brass and timber, had always halted, in the end, on a blank expression of futility, and retired within doors, there to fulfil its soul of the splendour which it had shrunk from daring without.