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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
afford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
attentive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
bars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
Bible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
communicate
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From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
convenient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
conveniently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
Cornelius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
de
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From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
delight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
edgewise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
faces
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From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
fixing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
grated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
grating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
hit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
lovers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
lucky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
novelist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
pupil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
Rosa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
spell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
syllables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosa was then enabled to follow with her finger the letters and syllables, which she was to spell for Cornelius, who with a straw pointed out the letters to his attentive pupil through the holes of the grating.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Rosa therefore had to press the open book against the grating edgewise, holding above it in her right hand the lamp, but Cornelius hit upon the lucky idea of fixing it to the bars, so as to afford her a little rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Then began between the master and the pupil one of those charming scenes which are the delight of the novelist who has to describe them.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grated window, the only opening through which the two lovers were able to communicate, was too high for conveniently reading a book, although it had been quite convenient for them to read each other’s faces.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
Witt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, as we have said, Rosa returned with the Bible of Cornelius de Witt.
