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Within the Precincts
Within the Precincts

Chapter XXXII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/109 · 5 lines
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FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.
DESPARD.
There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.
When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.
She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Within the Precincts

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/109 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.
Line 2
DESPARD.
Line 3
There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.
Line 4
When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.
Line 5
She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

Learner Dictionary

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

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

DUTY noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.”

Supposing verb US /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/

assuming something is true for the purpose of discussion

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.”

All words in this reading · 82

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

ACCORDING

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

From this reading FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.

adversaries

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

celebrated

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

defeats

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

DESPARD

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

From this reading DESPARD.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

discomfiture

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

drawing-room

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

driven

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

DUTYnounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

FAMILY

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

From this reading FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.

feel

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

forth

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

got

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

heard

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

intended

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

interfere

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

Law

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

like

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

Lottie

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

motive

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

MRS

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

From this reading FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.

much

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

others

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

out

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

perhaps

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

pleasure

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

Polly

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

really

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

rid

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

room

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

sat

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

scattered

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

shedding

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

side

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

silenced

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

some

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

supposingverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/

assuming something is true for the purpose of discussion

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

tears

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

There

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FAMILY DUTY: ACCORDING TO MRS.

torrents

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

triumph

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

upstairs

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

very

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

victories

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading There are some victories which feel very much like defeats.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

wisest

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

From this reading When Polly had scattered her adversaries on every side, driven forth Lottie and got rid of Law, and silenced Captain Despard--who sat in his room and heard everything but thought it wisest not to interfere--she retired upstairs to her drawing-room and celebrated her triumph by shedding torrents of tears.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.

wretched

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

From this reading She had intended to make everybody very wretched, and she had done so; supposing, perhaps (though she did not really know what her motive was), that some pleasure would come to herself out of the discomfiture of the others.