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Ombra
Ombra

Chapter XXII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.
The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.
Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.
For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.
But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ombra

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.
Line 2
The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.
Line 3
Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.
Line 4
For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.
Line 5
But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.”

Splendour noun US /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading “But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.”

All words in this reading · 114

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 Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

akin

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

all

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

apartments

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

ball

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

beautiful

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

came

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

cottage

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

country-house

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

decorations

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

delight

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

dresses

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

dwelling-place

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

Embassy

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

English

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

eyes

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

gay

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

girl's

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

glance

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

glow

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

gold

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

held

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

home

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

imagined

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

infinitely

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

insignificance

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

interest

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

jewels

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

Kate

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

ladies

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

light

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

like

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

limited

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

lines

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

lived

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

lofty

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

Lung-Arno

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

meet

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

mirrors

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

more

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

moved

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

native

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

new

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

occupied

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

own

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

Palazzo

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

place

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

princes

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From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

princesses

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From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

reflected

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From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

rich

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

room

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

rooms

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

scene

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From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

sensation

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

simple

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From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

size

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

space

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

splendid

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

stately

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

strangest

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

stretched

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

suite

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

surroundings

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

then

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

there

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

From this reading Delight was the first feeling; and then there came the strangest sensation of insignificance, which was not pleasant to Kate.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

three

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

Undercliff

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

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.

uniforms

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

velvet

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

very

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

vista

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

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Kate thought she had never imagined anything so stately, so beautiful, so gay, so like a place for princes and princesses to meet, as the suite of rooms in the Palazzo occupied by the English Embassy, where the ball was held.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The vista which stretched before her, one room within another, the lines of light infinitely reflected by the great mirrors--the lofty splendid rooms, rich in gold and velvet; the jewels of the ladies, the glow of uniforms and decorations; the beautiful dresses--all moved her to interest and delight.

years

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

From this reading For three years she had lived in little cottage rooms, in limited space, with very simple surroundings.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading But the first glance at this new scene brought suddenly before the girl’s eyes her native dwelling-place, her own home, which, of course, was but an English country-house, yet was more akin to the size and splendour of the Palazzo than to the apartments on the Lung-Arno, or the little Cottage on the Undercliff.