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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
admitting
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From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
amazing
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
Angelico's
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
annunciation
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
answer
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From this reading The answer is swift and conclusive.
apart
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From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
bent
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From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
caressable
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
cathedral
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From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
conclusive
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From this reading The answer is swift and conclusive.
confession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
confessor
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From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
contrary
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From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
delicate
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
emblem
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From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
evident
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From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
fashion
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From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
Fra
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From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
Heine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
innocence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The answer is swift and conclusive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
ivory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
model
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
NeverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
poet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
sculptured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
sin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
sins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
stainless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
strangest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
sweetness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The answer is swift and conclusive.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
toil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a stainless sweetness alone and apart, and shone in the gloom of the vast cathedral like a sculptured ivory emblem of innocence.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why do they toil in such a contrary fashion to their natural bent and inclination?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
women's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless!--women’s hands that are, or that might be, as delicate and caressable as those of Fra Angelico’s model, or Heine’s unseen lady, are now at work in the strangest kind of “annunciation”!--the most amazing form of “confession”!
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So still and pure was that lovely hand,” wrote the poet, “that whatever sins its mistress might be admitting to her confessor, it was evident that of itself it had nothing to do with sin or folly.
