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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 The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
acceptance
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
accepted
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From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
agreeable
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
all
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
always
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From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
best
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From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.
betrayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
blessedness
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From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
business
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From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
choice
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
crowning
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
downs
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From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
end
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From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
enviable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
explanation
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
hesitates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
intervals
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
made
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From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
man
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From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
MARRY
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From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
position
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
preliminaries
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
prerogative
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
privilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
proposal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
rejection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
response
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
ROLLO
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From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
seems
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
side
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From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
Sometimes
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From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
There
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From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
unmitigated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
ups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
waver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.