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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
alcove
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
all
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
aside
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
banks
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
bed
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
bows
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
breaking
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
calico
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
carefully
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
ceiling
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
clouds
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
Cupids
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
curtains
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
day
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
displaying
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
doors
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
drawn
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
faded
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
filtered
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
flesh
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
flesh-coloured
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
flowers
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
flying
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
folding
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
follow
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
framed
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
games
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
large
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
leafy
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
leaning
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
like
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From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
lofty
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
Louis
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
medallions
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
old
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
once
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From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
opened
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
Opposite
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
oval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
paintings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
panels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
pattern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
peeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
piers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
plasternounUS /ˈplæstər/
a soft material used to cover and protect a wound
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
red
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
ribbons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
rosy
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From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
rounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
saucily
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From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
scrolls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
sky-blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
softest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
up
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
upholstery
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
wainscoting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wainscoting with oval panels, the folding doors, the rounded ceiling (once sky-blue and framed with scrolls, medallions, and bows of flesh-coloured ribbons), had all faded to the softest grey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Opposite the windows the large alcove opened beneath banks of clouds which plaster Cupids drew aside, leaning over, and peeping saucily towards the bed.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading On the piers above the doors on either side of the alcove were faded paintings still displaying the rosy flesh of flying Cupids, whose games it was now impossible to follow.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Through calico curtains, carefully drawn across the two large windows, a pale white light like that of breaking day filtered into the room.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
woodwork
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From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.
XV
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and spacious room, fitted up with old Louis XV. furniture, the woodwork painted white, the upholstery showing a pattern of red flowers on a leafy ground.