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 It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
address
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
ample
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
attic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
cellar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
charm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
communication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
crepuscular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
cultivated
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From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
glimmering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
intimately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
invite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
lampless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
Later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
linger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
Muldoon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
obsession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
preposterous
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From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
privilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
prolonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
pulse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
rarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
reaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
rejoicing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
revelation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
spell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
surrender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
tacitly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
thrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
twenty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
vigil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
visiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
vistas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was what in these weeks he was living for--since he really felt life to begin but after Mrs. Muldoon had retired from the scene and, visiting the ample house from attic to cellar, making sure he was alone, he knew himself in safe possession and, as he tacitly expressed it, let himself go.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was after this that there was most of a virtue for him, most of a cultivated charm, most of a preposterous secret thrill, in the particular form of surrender to his obsession and of address to what he more and more believed to be his privilege.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He sometimes came twice in the twenty-four hours; the moments he liked best were those of gathering dusk, of the short autumn twilight; this was the time of which, again and again, he found himself hoping most.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he could, as seemed to him, most intimately wander and wait, linger and listen, feel his fine attention, never in his life before so fine, on the pulse of the great vague place: he preferred the lampless hour and only wished he might have prolonged each day the deep crepuscular spell.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Later--rarely much before midnight, but then for a considerable vigil--he watched with his glimmering light; moving slowly, holding it high, playing it far, rejoicing above all, as much as he might, in open vistas, reaches of communication between rooms and by passages; the long straight chance or show, as he would have called it, for the revelation he pretended to invite.
