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Vendetta
Vendetta

Chapter II · The Studio

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Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.
About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.
At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.
It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.
He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.
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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.

Vendetta

Chapter II · The Studio

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.
Line 2
About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.
Line 3
At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.
Line 4
It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.
Line 5
He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.”

Art auxiliary verb US /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading “About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

advance

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

age

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

artist's

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

artists

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

become

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

belonging

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

bought

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

certain

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

classes

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

complaints

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

composition

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

conceive

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

daughter

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

daughters

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

deserve

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

distinguished

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

dowerless

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

families

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

forty

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

general

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

girls

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

give

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

given

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

idea

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

inclination

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

instructions

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

intention

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

knowing

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

ladies

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

lessons

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

man

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

married

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

master's

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

meet

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

morals

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

most

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

mothers

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

obliged

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

opening

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

pains

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

painting

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

position

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

principles

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

profession

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

pupils

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

purest

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

refused

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

rich

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

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

satisfied

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

send

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

Servin

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

studio

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

talent

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

then

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

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

up

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

From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading At first the mothers of his pupils bought their daughters themselves to the studio; then they were satisfied to send them alone, after knowing the master’s principles and the pains he took to deserve their confidence.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

wished

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was the artist’s intention to take no pupils but young ladies belonging to rich families of good position, in order to meet with no complaints as to the composition of his classes.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He even refused to take girls who wished to become artists; for to them he would have been obliged to give certain instructions without which no talent could advance in the profession.

years

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From this reading About forty years of age, a man of the purest morals, entirely given up to his art, he had married from inclination the dowerless daughter of a general.

young

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

From this reading Servin, one of our most distinguished artists, was the first to conceive of the idea of opening a studio for young girls who wished to take lessons in painting.