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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
artiste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
assembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
ballroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
Blakeney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
brilliantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
coolness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
Dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
desultorily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
disposednounUS /ˈdisposed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
enfilade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
gardens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
glasshouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
music-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
obviously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
octagon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
peculiarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
ravishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
rumour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
sing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
songs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
unheard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
