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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
appeals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
bitterness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
clearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
commodities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
comprehended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
confirm
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From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
connexions
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From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
conveying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
cultivation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
dealers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
disinclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
displayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
displaying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
economy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
hopeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
ignoble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
ill-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
improve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
Insecure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
insecurity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
instinctive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
lashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
paradisiacal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
positions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
preoccupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
Secure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
security
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Their security was not so perfect that they had not a dread of falling towards the pit, they were always lashing themselves by new ropes, their cultivation of “connexions,” of interests, their desire to confirm and improve their positions, was a constant ignoble preoccupation.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
uneasiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was below the threshold of their minds an uneasiness; they not only did not think clearly about social economy but they displayed an instinctive disinclination to think.
vulgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pit of insecurity below them made itself felt, even though it was not comprehended.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Life about them was ugly; the sight of ugly and mean houses, of ill-dressed people, the vulgar appeals of the dealers in popular commodities, were not to be escaped.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It is the life of the Insecure under the old order that I am displaying, and I hope that I am conveying something of its hopeless bitterness to you, but you must not imagine that the Secure lived lives of paradisiacal happiness.
