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 had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
affects
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From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
alarms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
Almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
April
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
Bartram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
cheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
draperies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
etched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
faded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
frankest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
greyest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
immaculate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
intensified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
Marcher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
marks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
meaningless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
powdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
refined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
relievednounUS /ˈrelieved/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
sadness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
scarf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
serene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
sharper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
sphinx
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
ultimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
waning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
wax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own aspect--he could scarce have said why--intensified this note.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had gone in late to see her, but evening hadn't settled and she was presented to him in that long fresh light of waning April days which affects us often with a sadness sharper than the greyest hours of autumn.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The week had been warm, the spring was supposed to have begun early, and May Bartram sat, for the first time in the year, without a fire; a fact that, to Marcher's sense, gave the scene of which she formed part a smooth and ultimate look, an air of knowing, in its immaculate order and cold meaningless cheer, that it would never see a fire again.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost as white as wax, with the marks and signs in her face as numerous and as fine as if they had been etched by a needle, with soft white draperies relieved by a faded green scarf on the delicate tone of which the years had further refined, she was the picture of a serene and exquisite but impenetrable sphinx, whose head, or indeed all whose person, might have been powdered with silver.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then it was that, one afternoon, while the spring of the year was young and new she met all in her own way his frankest betrayal of these alarms.
