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The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories
The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CANDLE.
TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.
On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.
The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.
A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories

Chapter I

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CANDLE.
Line 2
TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.
Line 3
On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.
Line 4
The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.
Line 5
A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

accurate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

beauties

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

CANDLE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE CANDLE.

characteristics

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

comparing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

concluded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

Count

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

country

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

England

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

English

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

French

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

language

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

majority

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

obliterate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

original

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

peculiar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

people

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

PREFACE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.

published

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

respective

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

retranslations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

Russian

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

satisfactory

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

spirit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

tended

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE CANDLE.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

Tolstoy's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

transitions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

translation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

translations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

TRANSLATOR'S

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.

understands

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The majority of them were retranslations from the French, and I found that the respective transitions through which they had passed tended to obliterate many of the beauties of the Russian language and of the peculiar characteristics of Russian life.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.

works

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On comparing with the original Russian some English translations of Count Tolstoy’s works, published both in this country and in England, I concluded that they were far from being accurate.