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 She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
abbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
armchair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
binds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
climax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
comfort's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
cracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
damp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
dessert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
doubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
frigid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
geometrical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
mathematicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
mats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
meditation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
paint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
panels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
Portenduere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
priest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
priests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
profound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
recital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
red-tiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
remains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
rotten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
salon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
Seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
solve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red-tiled floor, polished by the old lady’s one servant, required, for comfort’s sake, before each seat small round mats of brown straw, on one of which the abbe was now resting his feet.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
stroking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
troubles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
valets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
wainscot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She held in her hand some letters which he had just returned to her after reading them; these letters had brought her troubles to a climax.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Seated on her sofa beside a square table covered with the remains of a dessert, the old lady was looking at the abbe, who sat on the other side of the table, doubled up in his armchair and stroking his chin with the gesture common to valets on the stage, mathematicians, and priests,--a sign of profound meditation on a problem that was difficult to solve.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Madame de Portenduere was at this moment alone with the abbe in her frigid little salon on the ground floor, having finished the recital of her troubles to the good priest, her only friend.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This little salon, lighted by two windows on the street and finished with a wainscot painted gray, was so damp that the lower panels showed the geometrical cracks of rotten wood when the paint no longer binds it.
