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An imperial lover
An imperial lover

Chapter I

Cover illustration for An imperial lover
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.
TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.
For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.
You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.
In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An imperial lover

Chapter I

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.
Line 2
TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.
Line 3
For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.
Line 4
You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.
Line 5
In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

Learner Dictionary

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

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.”

Reasons noun US /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading “For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.””

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.”

All words in this reading · 68

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

1703

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

AUTHOR

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

Brousson

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

care

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

czar

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

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

de

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

delicate

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

desire

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

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

else

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

France

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

go

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

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

King

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

M

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

made

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

many

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

marriage

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

married

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

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

memorable

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

mission

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

monsieur

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

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

Moscow

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

Ramodanofsky

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

RED

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

return

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

Russia

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

Russian

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

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

said

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

send

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

spring

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

STAIRCASE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In short, monsieur, I desire that you should go.”

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “ON THE RED STAIRCASE,” ETC.

there

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

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

TWENTY

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

visit

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For many reasons we did not return to Russia until, in the spring of 1703, the King of France said to me: “M. de Brousson, there is no one else whom I care to send to Moscow on a delicate mission.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

years

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You have married a Russian, you know Russia and the czar.

Zénaïde

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

From this reading TWENTY years had passed since my last visit to Moscow, a visit made memorable by my marriage with Zénaïde Ramodanofsky.