adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
attendedadjectiveUS /əˈtendɪd/
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
cabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
consumeverbUS /kənˈsuːm/
eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
councilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
creptverbUS /krept/
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
FredericknounUS /ˈfredrɪk/
a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
Frederick'snounUS /ˈfredrɪks/
possessive form of “frederick” — a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
FRIENDnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
fulfillingverbUS /fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/
inflected form of “fulfil” — put in effect
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
fulfilmentnoun
a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
joyfuladjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/
full of or producing joy
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
kingnounUS /kɪŋ/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
ministernounUS /ˈmɪnəstər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
PotsdamnounUS /ˈpɑːtsdæm/
a city in northeastern Germany; site of the Potsdam Conference in the summer of 1945
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
proceedverbUS /prəˈsiːd/
continue talking
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
refreshverbUS /rɪˈfreʃ/
refresh one's memory
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
ROYALadjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
Sans-Souci
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
separationnounUS /ˌsepərˈeɪʃən/
the state of lacking unity
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
trembledverbUS /ˈtrembəld/
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
VOLTAIREnounUS /voʊlˈter/
French writer who was the embodiment of 18th century Enlightenment (1694-1778)
From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
Voltaire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The king expected Voltaire; he knew he had arrived at Potsdam, where he would rest and refresh himself for a few hours, and then proceed at once to Sans-Souci.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Voltaire's arrival and residence at Sans-Souci had been the warm desire of Frederick's heart for many years, and yet, as the time for its fulfilment drew near, the king almost trembled.
