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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 Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
adjusting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
air-blown
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From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
arrangements
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From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
calculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
chained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
chances
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From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
clever
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From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
complicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
defeated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
devices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
disagreeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
Dolfo
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From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
effects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
enter
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From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
failure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
fatal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
fierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
Florence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
frustrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
hatred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
incalculable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
incidents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
inconvenient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
incur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
liable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
ostensible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
plot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
precisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
reputation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
Romola
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
roused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suspicion roused in the popular party might be fatal to his reputation and ostensible position in Florence: suspicion roused in Dolfo Spini might be as disagreeable in its effects as the hatred of a fierce dog not to be chained.
Savonarola
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
Spini
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
Spini's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
supremely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
thistle-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
Tito's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
trivial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
unpleasantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that he minded about the failure of Spini’s plot, but he felt an awkward difficulty in so adjusting his warning to Savonarola on the one hand, and to Spini on the other, as not to incur suspicion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Life was so complicated a game that the devices of skill were liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances, incalculable as the descent of thistle-down.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tito’s clever arrangements had been unpleasantly frustrated by trivial incidents which could not enter into a clever man’s calculations.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading It was very seldom that he walked with Romola in the evening, yet he had happened to be walking with her precisely on this evening when her presence was supremely inconvenient.
