adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
accompaniedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpənid/
having companions or an escort
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
assemblagenounUS /əˈsemblədʒ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
BALLnounUS /bɔːl/
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
ElegantlyadverbUS /ˈelɪɡəntliː/
with elegance; in a tastefully elegant manner
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
GermanynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
groomedadjectiveUS /ɡruːmd/
neat and smart in appearance; well cared for
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
Hal'snounUS /hælz/
possessive form of “hals” — Dutch portrait and genre painter who endowed his portraits with vitality and humor (1580?-1666)
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
handsomeadjectiveUS /ˈhænsəm/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
interviewverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuː/
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
listverbUS /lɪst/
give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
McKenzie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
ministernounUS /ˈmɪnəstər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
MINISTER'SnounUS /ˈmɪnɪstərz/
possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
namesnounUS /neɪmz/
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
riskingverbUS /ˈrɪskɪŋ/
-ing form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
sangnounUS /sæŋ/
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
Schweiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
Schweiring's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
SwissnounUS /swɪs/
the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
threatenedadjectiveUS /ˈθretənd/
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
tonenounUS /toʊn/
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
transactverbUS /trænˈzækt/
conduct business
From this reading Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at his office.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs. Schweiring and her daughter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE MINISTER'S BALL It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret service.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that threatened her very existence.
