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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
daughters
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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
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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.
girls
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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.
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.