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 Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, answered her in French.
ante-chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
atmosphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
avoided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
Castilian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
compromising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
converse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
corridors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
courtiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, answered her in French.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
hunting-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
impatient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
impatiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
indicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
inquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, answered her in French.
Latin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
Louis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
Molina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
Motteville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
Palais
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, answered her in French.
prayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
queen-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
Senora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
subjects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors in order not to converse on compromising subjects.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monsieur had joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, answered her in French.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading King Louis, who had been impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to inquire about him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina.
