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Table traits, with something on them
Table traits, with something on them

Chapter X

Cover illustration for Table traits, with something on them
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.
Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”
The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.
It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.
Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Table traits, with something on them

Chapter X

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.
Line 2
Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”
Line 3
The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.
Line 4
It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.
Line 5
Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Learner Dictionary

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

Disgust noun US /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading “Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.””

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.””

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

acidities

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

adulterated

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

adulteration

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

African

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

almonds

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

appetite's

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

aristocratic

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

bad

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

best

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

beverage

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

bitter

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

called

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

Cape

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

carbonate

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

Champagne

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

cider

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

cleverly

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

compared

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

compound

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

condition

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

contumace

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

cruellest

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

deception

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

definition

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

disgustnounUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

enough

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Fenchurch-street

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

fit

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

Funchal

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

give

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Gooseberry

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Home-made

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

hounds

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

human

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

imbibed

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

imported

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

impostor

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

ingredient

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

insult

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

lowest

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

Madeira

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

manufactured

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

much

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

nastiness

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

nearer

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

neat

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

off

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

often

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

only

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

perhaps

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

pinkness

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Pluto

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

port

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

rum

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

soda

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

stomachs

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

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

strawberries

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

sugar-candy

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The lowest and cruellest insult to human taste and stomachs is, perhaps, the adulteration of Cape.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Madeira, neat as imported,” is the definition of a beverage cleverly manufactured much nearer Fenchurch-street than Funchal.

thirsty

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

very

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

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

Vidonia

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Home-made Madeira is a compound of bad port, Vidonia, that African nastiness called “Cape,” sugar-candy, and bitter almonds; and the Vidonia, which is an ingredient in itself, often adulterated with cider and rum; and a little carbonate of soda, “to contumace the appetite’s acidities.”

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Gooseberry, passed off as Champagne, is an impostor, and even with strawberries in it, to give it an aristocratic pinkness, it is still a deception; but, compared with Cape, even in its best condition, gooseberry _may_ be imbibed without very much disgust.

worse

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

From this reading It is bad enough in itself; but Cape, with something worse in it, is only fit for the thirsty hounds of Pluto.