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Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self
Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self

Chapter XXXIX

Cover illustration for Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BY THE RHINE.
In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.
He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.
He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.
It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self

Chapter XXXIX

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BY THE RHINE.
Line 2
In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.
Line 3
He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.
Line 4
He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.
Line 5
It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

all

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

Alwyn

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

barrier

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY THE RHINE.

choice

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

coax

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

complained

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

creative

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

difficulty

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

expression

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

fancy

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

far

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

finding

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

flight

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

followed

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

forms

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

Heliobas

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

humor

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

idea

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

imposed

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

indulgent

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

invisible

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

lacking

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

language

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

leave

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

less

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

London

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

lover-like

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

made

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

majestic

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

meeting

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

men

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

monotony

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

more

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

mountains

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

Muse

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

Nature

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

new

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

peaceful

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

place

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

plead

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

possible

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

quiet

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

refractory

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

remote

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

restless

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

retirement

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

RHINE

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

From this reading BY THE RHINE.

routine

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

seeking

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

society

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

some

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

spot

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

standstill

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

strive

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

sweeping

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

sweeter

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BY THE RHINE.

thoughts

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

three

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

tired

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

travelling

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From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

true

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

two

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

unable

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

up

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

usual

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

weeks

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

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was not that thoughts were lacking to him,--what he complained of was the monotony of language and the difficulty of finding new, true, and choice forms of expression.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the two or three weeks that followed his meeting with Heliobas, Alwyn made up his mind to leave London for a while.

work

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

From this reading He was tired and restless,--tired of the routine society more or less imposed upon him,--restless because he had come to a standstill in his work--an invisible barrier, over which his creative fancy was unable to take its usual sweeping flight.

world

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

From this reading He had an idea of seeking some quiet spot among mountains, as far remote as possible from the travelling world of men,--a peaceful place, where, with the majestic silence of Nature all about him, he might plead in lover-like retirement with his refractory Muse, and strive to coax her into a sweeter and more indulgent humor.