adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
bluhen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
bootsnounUS /buːts/
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
Citronen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
dancenounUS /dæns/
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
dasnounUS /dæs/
any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
doubleverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/
increase twofold
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
Engel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
executingnounUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪŋ/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
honorableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
Kennst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
LandnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/
make reference to
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
Mignon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
pausesnounUS /ˈpɔːzəz/
plural of “pause” — a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
poringverbUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “pore” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
Portier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
sangnounUS /sæŋ/
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
SchubertnounUS /ˈʃuːbərt/
Austrian composer known for his compositions for voice and piano (1797-1828)
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
scorenounUS /skɔːr/
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading All day long he had been poring over the score.
shuffleverbUS /ˈʃʌfəl/
walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
singverbUS /sɪŋ/
deliver by singing
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
sprinkleverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəl/
distribute loosely
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
ticketnounUS /ˈtɪkət/
a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
ungainlyadjectiveUS /ənˈɡeɪnli/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Portier was almost happy that morning.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading He polished them with his feet, wearing felt boots for the purpose, and executing in the doing a sort of ungainly dance--a sprinkle of wax, right foot forward and back, left foot forward and back, both feet forward and back in a sort of double shuffle; more wax, more vigorous polishing, more singing, with longer pauses for breath.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
wo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'Kennst du das Land wo die Citronen bluhen?'” he sang with feeling while he polished the floors.
wonnounUS /wʌn/
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading For one thing, he had won honorable mention at the Schubert Society the night before; for another, that night the Engel was to sing Mignon, and the Portier had spent his Christmas tips for a ticket.
