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 I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
AMauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
appeared
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
arrival
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
atmosphere
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
autocrat
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
bait
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From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
BARON
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
best
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
Bickerdike
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
borrowed
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From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
Calvin
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
case
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From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
clue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
conscious
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
crab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
detestable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
diagnosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
dignified
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From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
dinner
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
domineering
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
electricity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
exacting
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
fisherman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
foe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
grievances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
harping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
hereditary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
hermit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
households
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
INTERESTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
jar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
malignancy
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From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
MS
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From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
observing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
obstinate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
obvious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
often
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
origin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
out
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
persisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
prey
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
propensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
resented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
savagery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
self-obliteration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
Sir
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From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
superior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
tactful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
torture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
unwelcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
vibrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
vulgarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
well-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
wrenches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
