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 Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
acreage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
adjoining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
breach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
characterised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
circumspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
Clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
commercially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
competent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
cynically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
dispensed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
distinction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
enemies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
fancied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
Fane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
foothold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
gratuitously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
Harmon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
HERdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
incorporation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
insolence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
integral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
intelligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
kicking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
mistakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
mounting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
Neergard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
Neergard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
objected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
permitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
preserve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
props
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
purchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
ruthlessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
Ruthven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
scaffolding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
shouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
Siowitha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
sneeringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
Thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
tract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
vindictively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clever, vindictively patient, circumspect, and commercially competent as he had been, his intelligence was not of a high order.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
WAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HER WAY Neergard had already begun to make mistakes.
wealth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The first was in thinking that, among those whose only distinction was their wealth, his own wealth permitted him the same insolence and ruthlessness that so frequently characterised them.
wilfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intelligent never wilfully make enemies; Neergard made them gratuitously, cynically kicking from under him the props he used in mounting the breach, and which he fancied he no longer needed as a scaffolding now that he had obtained a foothold on the outer wall.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus he had sneeringly dispensed with Gerald; thus he had shouldered Fane and Harmon out of his way when they objected to the purchase of Neergard's acreage adjoining the Siowitha preserve, and its incorporation as an integral portion of the club tract; thus he was preparing to rid himself of Ruthven for another reason.
