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 He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
abuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
alien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/
to reach or total a particular quantity or value
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
assimilated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
COULDmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
demanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
detach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
faculties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
flutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
gross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
hints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
impressionism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
involved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
moderate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
newest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
noted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
practical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
preconceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
prefaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
preparation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
primarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
primed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
prompted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
recognised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
response
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
supplemented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
tasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
verily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost felt for a day or two the victim of a practical joke, a gross abuse of confidence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was indeed to learn on arrival to what he had been committed; but that was for a while so much a part of his first general impression that the particular truth took time to detach itself, the first general impression demanding verily all his faculties of response.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had presented himself with the moderate amount of flutter involved in a sense of due preparation; but he had then found that, however primed with prefaces and prompted with hints, he hadn't been prepared at all.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was a case he would scarce have known how to describe--could doubtless have described best with a full clean brush, supplemented by a play of gesture; for it was always his habit to see an occasion, of whatever kind, primarily as a picture, so that he might get it, as he was wont to say, so that he might keep it, well together.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading How COULD he be, he asked himself, for anything so foreign to his experience, so alien to his proper world, so little to be preconceived in the sharp north light of the newest impressionism, and yet so recognised after all in the event, so noted and tasted and assimilated?
![Some Short Stories [by Henry James]](/static/images/covers-gen/some-short-stories-by-henry-james.academy.webp)