Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
Americans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
arrived
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From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
came
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From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
champagne
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From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
civil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
costume
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From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
count
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From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
Countess
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From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
curious
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From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
daughter
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From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
elsewhere
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From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
European
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From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
evening
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From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
find
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From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
flattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
magnificent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
ONEpronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
peasant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
RECEPTIONS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
refreshment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
refused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
salon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
signalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
taffeta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
TOLSTOY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
velvet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
