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.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
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.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
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.
CANDLEnounUS /ˈkændəl/
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading THE CANDLE.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
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.
comparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
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.
concludedadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːdəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
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.
CountverbUS /kaʊnt/
determine the number or amount of
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.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
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.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
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.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
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.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
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.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
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.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
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.
languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
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 /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
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.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
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.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
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.
obliterateverbUS /əˈblɪtəreɪt/
mark for deletion, rub off, or erase
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.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
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.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
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.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
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.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
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.
respectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪv/
considered individually
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.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
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.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
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.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
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.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
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'snounUS /ˈtoʊlstɔɪz/
possessive form of “tolstoy” — Russian author remembered for two great novels (1828-1910)
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.
transitionsnounUS /trænˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “transition” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
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.
translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/
a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
From this reading A satisfactory translation can be made only by one who understands the language and _spirit_ of the Russian people.
translationsnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “translation” — a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
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.
understandsverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstændz/
third-person singular of “understand” — know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
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.
worksnounUS /wɜːrks/
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
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.
