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 Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
adoration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
Brander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
cared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
charm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
chivalrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
clearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
dutiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
faults
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
feminine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
Following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
frenzy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
hide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
homage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
ideal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
inevitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following on this discovery came the inevitable consciousness who it was that had brought about this knowledge.
lacking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
liable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
passionate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
repelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
reverent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
rival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
scoffed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
self-torturing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
selfish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
sister-in-law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
softness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brander had, on previous occasions, scoffed at his adoration of children; she had often shown clearly how little she cared for his feelings; but never before to-night had she seemed to him cold, and hard, and selfish; never before had it occurred to him to think how lacking she was in feminine softness and charm.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
uncertainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
vassalage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
Vernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vernon Brander left his brother’s house that evening in a frenzy of doubt and uncertainty, such as his passionate, self-torturing nature was liable to.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He tried in vain to hide from himself the fact that this change in his feelings was due to the appearance on the scene of a rival who was carrying away all before her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had so long been bound in a dutiful and chivalrous vassalage to his sister-in-law, seeing her faults without being repelled by them, and in all things doing her reverent homage as to his early ideal, that it came upon him with a shock to discover suddenly, as he had done this evening, that she had fallen from that high place in her imagination.
