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 This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
British
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From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
cannot
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From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
circumstances
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From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
COUSINS
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From this reading THE COUSINS.
embarrassing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
embarrassment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
Englishman
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From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
Frederick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
Gorgon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
highly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
kissed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
nation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
propriety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
ridiculous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
shocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
softer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
suspicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COUSINS.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
unaccustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He laughed with the embarrassment common to his nation under the circumstances.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
unready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
watchfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There is nothing so awkward, so unhappy, and unready, as an Englishman who is called upon to show any natural feeling of the softer kind before strangers.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we all, and we alone, should feel that we are ridiculous when our hearts are touched, I cannot tell; but so it is.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little scene was odd and somewhat embarrassing to a young Englishman utterly unaccustomed to have his hand kissed; but I think it highly probable that Frederick would have felt much less objection to it had it not been for the presence of that Gorgon of British propriety, which kept staring at him with an expression of shocked and suspicious watchfulness from the other side of the stove.
