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Babylon, Volume 3
Babylon, Volume 3

Chapter III · Cousins

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Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.
We have not met for many years.
Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'
Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.
'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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Babylon, Volume 3

Chapter III · Cousins

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.
Line 2
We have not met for many years.
Line 3
Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'
Line 4
Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.
Line 5
'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “We have not met for many years.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'”

Nodded noun US /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “|They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

able

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

afraid

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

all

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

Bazzoni's

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

broke

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

cautiously

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

Cecca

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

Colin

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

curtsey

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

dismissing

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

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'

door

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

dressing-room

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

dropped

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

England

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

excuse

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

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'

familiarly

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

few

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

four

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

go

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We have not met for many years.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

Hiram

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

I'm

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

Italian

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

lady

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

longer

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

looking

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

made

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

many

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

From this reading We have not met for many years.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

met

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

From this reading We have not met for many years.

Minna

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

minutes

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'

mutely

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'

noddednounUS /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

noiselessly

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We have not met for many years.

obeisance

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

off

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

ominous

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

out

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

politely

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

queenly

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

relations

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

said

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

saucy

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

saying

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

see

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

She'll

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

shut

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

sigh

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

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

Signora

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

sort

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

studio

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

swept

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

then

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

uttering

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading |They stood all four looking at one another mutely for a few minutes longer, and then Colin broke the ominous silence by saying as politely as he was able, 'Signora Cecca, this lady has come to see me from England, and we are relations.

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading 'She'll go off to Bazzoni's, I'm afraid,' Hiram said, with a sigh of relief, as she shut the door noiselessly and cautiously behind her.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

word

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

From this reading Cecca made a queenly obeisance to Colin, dropped a sort of saucy Italian curtsey to Minna, nodded familiarly to Hiram, and swept out of the studio into the dressing-room without uttering another word.

years

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

From this reading We have not met for many years.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Will you excuse my dismissing you for this morning?'