adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
compositionsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “composition” — the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
contentnounUS /ˈkɑːntent/
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
enunciateverbUS /ɪˈnʌnsieɪt/
speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
H'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
jestnounUS /dʒest/
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
Lavretsky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
Lemm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
librettonounUS /ləˈbretoʊ/
the words of an opera or musical play
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
Lisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
livelinessnounUS /ˈlaɪvlinəs/
general activity and motion
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
songnounUS /sɔːŋ/
a short musical composition with words
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He began talking about music, about Lisa, then of music again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “H’m, a libretto!” replied Lemm; “no, that is not in my line; I have not now the liveliness, the play of the imagination, which is needed for an opera; I have lost too much of my power...
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But if I were still able to do something,--I should be content with a song; of course, I should like to have beautiful words...”
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading He seemed to enunciate his words more slowly when he spoke of Lisa.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading Lavretsky turned the conversation on his compositions, and half in jest, offered to write him a libretto.
