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 While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
approach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
aware
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From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
beard
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From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
became
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From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
creative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
cultivation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
differed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
discovering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
emaciated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
emerged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
essence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
examined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
exceed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
existences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
garb
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From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
gardener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
Giovanni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
hue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
inmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
intellect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
intelligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
intentness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
intimacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
laborer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
leaf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
NeverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
observations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
perfume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
rustling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
sallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
scholar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
scientific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
shrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
sickly-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
singularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
term
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
vegetable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in spite of this deep intelligence on his part, there was no approach to intimacy between himself and these vegetable existences.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His figure soon emerged into view, and showed itself to be that of no common laborer, but a tall, emaciated, sallow, and sickly-looking man, dressed in a scholar’s garb of black.
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
whereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed the intentness with which this scientific gardener examined every shrub which grew in his path: it seemed as if he was looking into their inmost nature, making observations in regard to their creative essence, and discovering why one leaf grew in this shape and another in that, and wherefore such and such flowers differed among themselves in hue and perfume.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Giovanni stood at the window he heard a rustling behind a screen of leaves, and became aware that a person was at work in the garden.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was beyond the middle term of life, with gray hair, a thin, gray beard, and a face singularly marked with intellect and cultivation, but which could never, even in his more youthful days, have expressed much warmth of heart.
