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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 A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
chevalier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
circumstance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
CITIZEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
the inner sense of right and wrong
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
curtain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
D'Harmental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
delicately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
develop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
Doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
DU
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
forgot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
harmony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
perceive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
PERDU
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
raising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
RUE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
shopkeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
spinet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
stool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
TEMPS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CITIZEN OF THE RUE DU TEMPS PERDU.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
tune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
unaccustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
Unfortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately, at the sight of these fingers the chevalier forgot his music, and turned round quickly on the stool, in hopes of seeing a face behind the hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During this time D'Harmental was seated before the spinet, playing his best.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Doubtless there was some truth in this, for in the middle of a brilliant shake he saw, from the other side of the street, five little fingers delicately raising the curtain to see from whence this unaccustomed harmony proceeded.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
wonders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shopkeeper had had a sort of conscience, and had sent him an instrument nearly in tune, so that the chevalier began to perceive that he was doing wonders, and almost believed he was born with a genius for music, which had only required such a circumstance to develop itself.
