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Beatrix
Beatrix

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for Beatrix
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
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.
Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
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 awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Beatrix

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
Line 2
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.
Line 3
Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
Line 4
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.
Line 5
Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /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.”

Before preposition US /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.”

Double noun US /double/

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.”

First noun US /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.”

Order noun US /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.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.”

Short adjective US /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.”

Sober adjective US /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.”

Through noun US /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.”

Well noun US /well/

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.”

Went noun US /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.”

Within preposition US /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.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.

admit

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.

all

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.

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

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.

baron

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.

Beatrix

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.

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

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.

Carpets

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.

character

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.

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

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.

crossing

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.

curtains

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.

door

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.

double

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.

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

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.

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

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.

flowering

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.

furnished

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

From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.

gilt

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.

grave

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.

house

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.

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

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.

lozenges

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.