AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
Charybdisnoun
(Greek mythology) a ship-devouring whirlpool lying on the other side of a narrow strait from Scylla
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
confineverbUS /kənˈfaɪn/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/
every day; without missing a day
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
detectionnounUS /dɪˈtekʃən/
the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I intend to do neither of these things.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
dullnessnounUS /ˈdʌlnəs/
the quality of being slow to understand
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
EuropenounUS /ˈjʊrəp/
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
imposturenoun
pretending to be another person
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
indiscretionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃən/
the trait of being injudicious
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
instructiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪv/
serving to instruct or enlighten or inform
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
intendverbUS /ˌɪnˈtend/
have in mind as a purpose
From this reading I intend to do neither of these things.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I made mistakes.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading I made mistakes.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I intend to do neither of these things.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
palacesnounUS /ˈpæləsəz/
plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
proveverbUS /pruːv/
be shown or be found to be
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
revealedverbUS /rɪˈviːld/
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
Ruritaniannoun
an imaginary inhabitant of Ruritania
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
ScyllanounUS /ˈsɪlə/
(Greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; drowned and devoured sailors who tried to escape Charybdis (a whirlpool) on the other side of the strait
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading I need only say that the secret of my imposture defied detection.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
statesmennounUS /ˈsteɪtsmɪn/
plural of “statesman” — a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
Tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I intend to do neither of these things.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I intend to do neither of these things.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
UsenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I should be between the Scylla of dullness and the Charybdis of indiscretion, and I feel that I had far better confine myself strictly to the underground drama which was being played beneath the surface of Ruritanian politics.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A New Use for a Tea-table If I were to detail the ordinary events of my daily life at this time, they might prove instructive to people who are not familiar with the inside of palaces; if I revealed some of the secrets I learnt, they might prove of interest to the statesmen of Europe.
