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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From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.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From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.
almost
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.
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From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.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From this reading The king had withdrawn to his library earlier than usual; he had attended a cabinet council, worked for an hour with his minister of state, and, after fulfilling these public duties, withdrawn gladly to his books, hoping to consume the time which crept along with leaden feet.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.
anxiety
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From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
arrival
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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.
arrived
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.
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.
attended
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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.
cabinet
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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.
consume
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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 /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
crept
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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.
desire
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.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
duties
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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.
earlier
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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.
expected
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.
feet
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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.
few
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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.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
Frederick
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From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
Frederick's
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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.
FRIEND
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From this reading VOLTAIRE AND HIS ROYAL FRIEND.
fulfilling
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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.
fulfilment
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.
gladly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
heart
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.
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.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
hours
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.
impatience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
joyful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
knew
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.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈlɛdən/
heavy, dull, or grey in appearance or movement
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.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
many
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.
meeting
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From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
near
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.
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.
once
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.
Potsdam
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.
proceed
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.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
refresh
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.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
residence
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.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
ROYAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
separation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frederick regarded this first meeting with Voltaire, after long years of separation, with more of anxiety than of joyful impatience.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
then
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.
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 /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
trembled
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.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
VOLTAIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
warm
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.
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.
withdrawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
