adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
blamedadjectiveUS /bleɪmd/
expletives used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
boresnounUS /bɔːrz/
plural of “bore” — a person who evokes boredom
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
countessnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
Dora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
elitenounUS /ɪˈliːt/
a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
FlorentineadjectiveUS /ˈflɔːrəntiːn/
of or relating to or characteristic of the city of Florence, Italy
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
gatheredadjectiveUS /ˈɡæðərd/
brought together in one place
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
GoingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
liquidatingverbUS /ˈlɪkwɪdeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “liquidate” — get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
nobodiesnounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiːz/
plural of “nobody” — a person of no influence
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
piquantadjectiveUS /ˈpiːkənt/
having an agreeably pungent taste
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
recommendverbUS /ˌrekəˈmend/
push for something
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
refusedverbUS /rəˈfjuːzd/
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
salenounUS /seɪl/
a particular instance of selling
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
seekverbUS /siːk/
try to get or reach
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The countess gathered around her the elite of Florentine society; she selected her friends and acquaintances as carefully as she selected her dresses, jewels, and flowers.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
weptverbUS /wept/
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There were times when the money received from the sale of his pictures failed in liquidating bills; then Ronald grew anxious, and Dora, not knowing what better to do, wept and blamed herself for all the trouble.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a relief then to leave the home over which the clouds lowered and seek the gay villa, where something pleasant and amusing was always going on.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Going into society increased the expenses which Ronald and his wife found already heavy enough.
witnounUS /wɪt/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading She refused to know "bores" and "nobodies"; her lady friends must be pretty, piquant, or fashionable, any gentleman admitted into her charmed circle must have genius, wit, or talent to recommend him.
