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 UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
Adela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
assumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
Carmyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
climbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
coffin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
comprehensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
comprised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
Connie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
deleted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
Dicky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
enquiringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The off ’hid leg is a trifle dicky."
husky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The off ’hid leg is a trifle dicky."
labour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
leg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The off ’hid leg is a trifle dicky."
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
lorgnette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
Mahomet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
Mainwaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
mid-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
mum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The off ’hid leg is a trifle dicky."
officious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
recently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
selected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
standstill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
Stillbottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
suspended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
sweep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading "The off ’hid leg is a trifle dicky."
twelve-and-six-pence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
UNREHEARSED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
upwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNREHEARSED Mr. Mainwaring, Lady Adela, and party--the latter comprised Sylvia, Connie Carmyle, and Dicky--came to a standstill in the middle of the vast and empty drawing-room and looked enquiringly about them.
vertical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
violently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lady Adela, upon whom the labour of climbing the staircase had told heavily, first deleted from her features the stately smile which she had mechanically assumed before crossing the threshold, and then began to sit down upon the piece of furniture which Mr. Stillbottle had recently valued at twelve-and-six-pence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lady Adela, suspended in mid-air like Mahomet’s coffin, started violently upwards into a vertical position, and then, having, on the advice of the officious Mr. Stillbottle, selected the sofa, took in the drawing-room with one comprehensive sweep of her lorgnette.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I would n’t set in that chair, mum, not if I was you," remarked a husky voice in her ear.
