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The Black Tulip
The Black Tulip

Chapter XXXIII · Conclusion

Cover illustration for The Black Tulip
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.
He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.
He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.
And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.
He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Black Tulip

Chapter XXXIII · Conclusion

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.
Line 2
He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.
Line 3
He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.
Line 4
And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.
Line 5
He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Purity noun US /ˈpjʊrəti/

the state of being morally clean and innocent

From this reading “He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

address

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

all

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

approached

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

ascertained

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

attention

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

attracted

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

Baerle

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

beautiful

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

black

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

chair

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

crowd

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

delighted

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

directed

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

distance

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

everywhere

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

excellence

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

eyes

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

faces

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

felt

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

flower

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

formed

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

four

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

gaze

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

girls

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

gracefulness

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

guard

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

guards

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

honour

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

increasing

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

interest

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

led

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

met

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

miserable

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

more

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

nearer

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

once

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

only

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

own

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

paces

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

perfection

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/

the state of being morally clean and innocent

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

pushed

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

queen

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

saw

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

seated

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

see

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

sidled

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

six

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

some

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

Stadtholder

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

state

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

strange

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

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

surrounded

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

tulip

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

unique

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

From this reading He saw it at last, that unique flower, which he was to see once and no more.

up

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

Van

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

way

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He looked all around for some one to whom he might address only one question, but his eyes everywhere met strange faces, and the attention of all was directed towards the chair of state, on which the Stadtholder had seated himself.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Van Baerle, led by four guards, who pushed their way through the crowd, sidled up to the black tulip, towards which his gaze was attracted with increasing interest the nearer he approached to it.

wretched

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

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet, the more he ascertained with his own eyes the perfection of the flower, the more wretched and miserable he felt.

young

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

From this reading He saw it at the distance of six paces, and was delighted with its perfection and gracefulness; he saw it surrounded by young and beautiful girls, who formed, as it were, a guard of honour for this queen of excellence and purity.