Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
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 brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
applenounUS /apple/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
attach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Austrian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
caprice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
certainement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
cette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
charmante
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
chose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
dans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
disappoints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
election
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
embassy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
eut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
femme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
Il
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Italian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
mes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
Naples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Palazzo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
pour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
quelque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
reigning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
ROUSSEAU
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
sentimens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
sentiments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
singulier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
throne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Generally speaking, there is more caprice than taste in the election of a beauty to the Italian throne.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
Ventadour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * There certainly was something singular in my sentiments for this charming woman.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing disappoints a stranger more than to see for the first time the woman to whom the world has given the golden apple.
y
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Il y eut certainement quelque chose de singulier dans mes sentimens pour cette charmante femme."*--ROUSSEAU.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a brilliant ball at the Palazzo of the Austrian embassy at Naples: and a crowd of those loungers, whether young or old, who attach themselves to the reigning beauty, was gathered round Madame de Ventadour.
