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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 John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
African
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From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
agents
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From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
almost
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From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHADOW AND LIGHT.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
appreciation
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From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
ascetic
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From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
barbarous
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From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
building
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From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
Calabar
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From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
deposit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
district
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
due
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From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
Eccleston
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From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
eminent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
external
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From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
fashion
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From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
Gaboon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
Girdlestone's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
hand-worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
Indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
interspersed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
ivory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
LIGHT
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From this reading SHADOW AND LIGHT.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
oriental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
respectability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
richest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
SHADOWnounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading SHADOW AND LIGHT.
skins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/
magnificent and impressive appearance
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
substantial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
sybarite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability.
trader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
valuables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwɛstwərd/
toward the west
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading John Girdlestone's private residence in Eccleston Square was a large and substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Indeed, there was an oriental and almost barbarous splendour about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from the Gaboon, hand-worked ivory from Old Calabar, and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The building was stern and hard, and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxury itself, for the old merchant, in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a sybarite at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world.
