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 Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
Apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
armchair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
barrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
belle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
Contrôleur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
Contrôleur-Général
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
Courtenai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
courtiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
discreetly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
emptiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
FAVOURS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
flooring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
graciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
Hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
including
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
inner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
Irène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
la
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
lately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
Majesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
Monseigneur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
parquet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
Pompadour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
precincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more there was a barrier of emptiness and parquet flooring round the inner group, now composed of His Majesty, of M. le Contrôleur-Général, and of Mme. de Pompadour.
ROYAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
vacated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
well-drilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-drilled circle of courtiers and ladies, including la belle Irène herself, retired discreetly.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Hardly was the coat on M. le Contrôleur's shoulders than the King engaged him in conversation, whilst Mme. de Pompadour dropped into the armchair lately vacated by Monseigneur de Courtenai.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading ROYAL FAVOURS Apparently there was to be no end to royal graciousness this morning, as every one who looked could see.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Into these sacred precincts no one would have dared to step.
