adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
amateursnounUS /ˈæmətɜːrz/
plural of “amateur” — someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
begunverbUS /bɪˈɡʌn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
CherrynounUS /ˈtʃeri/
wood of any of various cherry trees especially the black cherry
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
culturedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltʃərd/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
diplomatists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
EnlightenmentnounUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənmənt/
education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
EuropenounUS /ˈjʊrəp/
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
ferociouslyadverbUS /fərˈoʊʃɪsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
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 When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
followsverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊz/
third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
foreignadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrən/
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
FruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
gunsnounUS /ɡʌnz/
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
HeartbreaknounUS /ˈhɑːrtbreɪk/
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
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 When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
leisuredadjective
free from duties or responsibilities
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
OrchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
playwrightnounUS /ˈpleɪraɪt/
someone who writes plays
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
policynounUS /ˈpɑːləsi/
a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
prefacenounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
SeagullnounUS /ˈsiːɡʌl/
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
Tchekov
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
TolstoynounUS /ˈtoʊlstɔɪ/
Russian author remembered for two great novels (1828-1910)
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tolstoy, in his Fruits of Enlightenment, had shown us through it in his most ferociously contemptuous manner.
Vanya
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Russian playwright, Tchekov, had produced four fascinating dramatic studies of Heartbreak House, of which three, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull, had been performed in England.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading It is cultured, leisured Europe before the war.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Heartbreak House is not merely the name of the play which follows this preface.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading When the play was begun not a shot had been fired; and only the professional diplomatists and the very few amateurs whose hobby is foreign policy even knew that the guns were loaded.
