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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 Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
admit
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
all
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
awaited
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From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
baron
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
Beatrix
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From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
Calyste
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From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
Carpets
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
character
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From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
colors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
contrasted
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
crossing
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
curtains
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
door
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
double
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
external
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
floor
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
flowering
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From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
furnished
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From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
gilt
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
grave
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
house
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From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
ill-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
landings
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From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
lozenges
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
nails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
old
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
opened
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From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
plants
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From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
portieres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
proprietor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
pumiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
salon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by alcohol
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
studded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
velvet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.