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Mudfog and Other Sketches
Mudfog and Other Sketches

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Mudfog and Other Sketches
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mudfog and Other Sketches

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
Line 2
In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
Line 3
With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
Line 4
We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
Line 5
We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.”

Excited adjective US /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading “With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’”

Obtain verb US /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.”

Ourselves pronoun US /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

Whence adverb US /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading “We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

accept

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

acquaintance

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

animal

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

anxious

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

awake

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

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

away

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

became

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

biped

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

boldly

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

called

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

challenge

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

coming

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

controversy

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

curiosity

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

day

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

declined

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

drawing-room

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

early

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

easily

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

eligible

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

engagement

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

evening

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

feeding-time

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

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

four-footed

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

full

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

go

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

got

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

hope

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

imagined

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

interest

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

interesting

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

invitation

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

lady

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

lion

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

lions

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

much

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

namesakes

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

once

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

opinions

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

other

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

perfectly

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

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

plea

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

posted

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

previously

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

prior

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

refusal

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

resolutely

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

respect

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

retracted

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

said

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

seen

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

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

stay

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

From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.

subject

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

uphold

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

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

very

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

view

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

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’