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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 He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
actual
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From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
Alexandrovitch
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From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
Alexandrovitch's
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From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
Alexey
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From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
aspect
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From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
assistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
back
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From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
coming
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From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
commission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
conception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
condition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
contention
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From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
deputation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
discomforting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
enemy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
graspnounUS /ɡræsp/
a firm hold in a specific situation in this story
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
indoors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
instigation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
lawyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
Moscow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
native
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
naïvely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
needs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
Petersburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
requests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
secondly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
given too much comfort or indulgence
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
statements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
summoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
tribes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They naïvely believed that it was their business to lay before the commission their needs and the actual condition of things, and to ask assistance of the government, and utterly failed to grasp that some of their statements and requests supported the contention of the enemy’s side, and so spoiled the whole business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The members of this deputation had not the slightest conception of their duty and the part they were to play.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexey Alexandrovitch, on coming back from church service, had spent the whole morning indoors.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The deputation, though it had been summoned at Alexey Alexandrovitch’s instigation, was not without its discomforting and even dangerous aspect, and he was glad he had found it in Moscow.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had two pieces of business before him that morning; first, to receive and send on a deputation from the native tribes which was on its way to Petersburg, and now at Moscow; secondly, to write the promised letter to the lawyer.
