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Sir Tom
Sir Tom

Chapter XVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.
In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.
It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.
She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.
She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sir Tom

Chapter XVI

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

Line 1
AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.
Line 2
In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.
Line 3
It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.
Line 4
She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.
Line 5
She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.”

Christian noun US /ˈchristian/

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

From this reading “It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.”

Meantime noun US /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading “In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

according

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

addressed

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

Beachey

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

Beatrice

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

Beeshee

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

Beetchee

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

behind-backs

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

Bice

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

call

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

called

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

Christian

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

companion

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

Contessa

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

Contessa's

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

contraction

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

deal

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

discovered

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

ENCOUNTER

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

England

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

English

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

family

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

Forno-Populo

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

going

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

household

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

Italian

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

knows

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

learned

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

like

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

Miss

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

moments

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

more

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

mouth

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

much

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

natural

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

notice

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

other

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

people

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

probably

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

pronunciation

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

proper

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

proverb

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

rare

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

received

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

Roman

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

say

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

sensible

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

servants

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

speak

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

Tuscan

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From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

UNEXPECTED

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

young

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.