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A Second Home
A Second Home

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
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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.

A Second Home

Chapter V

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
Line 2
Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
Line 3
The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
Line 4
Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
Line 5
The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

Learner Dictionary

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

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

Fidelity noun US /fɪˈdeləti/

continued loyalty to a person or promise

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.”

All words in this reading · 130

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 If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

adage

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

address

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

ante-room

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

Anxious

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

apartment

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

arabesques

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

arid

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

bad

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

Bayeux

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

benches

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

broad

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

certainly

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

character

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

charm

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

circles

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

cold

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

color

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

cover

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

dark

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

de

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

decorated

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

discordant

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

door

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

entered

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

entrance

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

excuses

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

eye

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

fidelitynounUS /fɪˈdeləti/

continued loyalty to a person or promise

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

find

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

front

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

giving

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

gloom

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

Granville

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

gratified

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

greater

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

green

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

heavy

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

hollowed

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

home

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

husband

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

important

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

impression

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

intelligence

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

invaded

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

judged

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

just

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

lawyer

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

lofty

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

looking

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

Madame

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

man's

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

mannerism

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From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

measure

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

monotonous

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From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

mouldings

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

old

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

ordered

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

own

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

panels

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

perhaps

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

prevailed

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

reigned

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

rigid

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

room

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

rooms

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

says

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

seal

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

sitting-room

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

solemnity

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

stamped

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

startled

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

things

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

too

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

true

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

used

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

various

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

velvet

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

very

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

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.

wife

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

From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

woman

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

From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.

young

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

From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.