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Confidence
Confidence

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Confidence
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.
The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.
There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.
He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.
The feeling was a singular one.
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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.

Confidence

Chapter XII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.
Line 2
The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.
Line 3
There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.
Line 4
He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.
Line 5
The feeling was a singular one.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “The feeling was a singular one.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.”

Vault noun US /vɔːlt/

a stone room, often below a church, used for burial

From this reading “The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

absorbing

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

affirmed

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

agreeably

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

amused

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

any

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

attitude

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

back

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

box

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

chair

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

character

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

coming

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

company

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

conscious

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

contemplative

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

Conversation-house

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

crowd

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

curiously

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

directed

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

early

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

easy

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

evening

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading The feeling was a singular one.

felt

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

frequenters

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

full

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

gaze

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

going

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

green

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

happy

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

hour

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

knew

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

lost

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

man

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

meditations

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

more

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

movement

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

much

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

music

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

narrative

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

night

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

orange-tree

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

own

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

people

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

perhaps

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

place

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

preferred

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

preoccupied

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

said

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

sat

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

singular

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

From this reading The feeling was a singular one.

sound

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

speculative

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From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

stage

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

star-sprinkled

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

surrounded

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

terrace

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

There

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

tilted

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

true

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

turn

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

two

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

vaguely

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

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

vaultnounUS /vɔːlt/

a stone room, often below a church, used for burial

From this reading The place was full of movement and sound, but he had tilted back his chair against the great green box of an orange-tree, and in this easy attitude, vaguely and agreeably conscious of the music, he directed his gaze to the star-sprinkled vault of the night.

very

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

From this reading He felt very happy, very much amused, very curiously preoccupied.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were people coming and going whom he knew, but he said nothing to any one--he preferred to be alone; he found his own company quite absorbing.

young

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

From this reading It was affirmed at an early stage of this narrative that he was a young man of a contemplative and speculative turn, and he had perhaps never been more true to his character than during an hour or two that evening as he sat by himself on the terrace of the Conversation-house, surrounded by the crowd of its frequenters, but lost in his meditations.