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The Transgression of Andrew Vane: A Novel
The Transgression of Andrew Vane: A Novel

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Transgression of Andrew Vane: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOME AFTER-DINNER CONVERSATION.
Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.
The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.
At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.
The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Transgression of Andrew Vane: A Novel

Chapter XII

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOME AFTER-DINNER CONVERSATION.
Line 2
Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.
Line 3
The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.
Line 4
At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.
Line 5
The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

Learner Dictionary

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

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.”

Snatches plural noun US /snætʃɪz/

short, incomplete pieces of speech or writing

From this reading “The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

adjusted

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

AFTER-DINNER

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

From this reading SOME AFTER-DINNER CONVERSATION.

air

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

blurred

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

broad

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

cheeks

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

chill

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

CONVERSATION

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

From this reading SOME AFTER-DINNER CONVERSATION.

cool

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

deliciously

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

disturbed

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

dusk

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

else

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

emphasized

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

falling

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

fingers

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

flanked

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

flower-beds

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

forehead

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

formality

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

full

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

garden

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

giving

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

hardly

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

hidden

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

lawn

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

ledge

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

less

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

like

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

liquid

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

marble

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

melody

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

mercifully

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

midnight

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

moved

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

Night

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

nightingale

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

nowhere

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

paved

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

pianissimo

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

rather

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

rehearsing

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

rockery

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

Rossignol

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

season

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

snatchesplural nounUS /snætʃɪz/

short, incomplete pieces of speech or writing

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

softened

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

SOME

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

From this reading SOME AFTER-DINNER CONVERSATION.

somewhat

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

sound

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

steps

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

stiffness

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

stillness

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

stilted

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

terrace

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

three

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

tinkle

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

tiny

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

touch

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

trees

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

uncompromising

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

urns

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

Villa

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

walks

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

warm

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Night in the garden of the Villa Rossignol was as night is nowhere else.

water

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

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.

winding

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

From this reading The cool dusk softened the somewhat stilted formality of the flower-beds and winding walks, and mercifully blurred the uncompromising stiffness of the paved terrace, flanked by marble urns, and giving, in three broad steps, upon the lawn.

woman's

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

From this reading At this season the air was neither warm nor chill, but so deliciously adjusted that, as it moved, its touch on the cheeks and forehead was like that of a woman's fingers.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The stillness was emphasized rather than disturbed by a tiny tinkle of water, falling from ledge to ledge of a rockery hidden in the trees, and the sound, hardly less liquid, of a nightingale, rehearsing, pianissimo, snatches of the melody that midnight would hear in full.