adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
amusedadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The company was numerous and brilliant.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
Aslingen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The company was numerous and brilliant.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
CarolinanounUS /ˌkerəˈlaɪnə/
the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The company was numerous and brilliant.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
DukenounUS /duːk/
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
Emilius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
GrandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
HighnessnounUS /ˈhaɪnəs/
(Your Highness or His Highness or Her Highness) title used to address a royal person
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
intelligences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The company was numerous and brilliant.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
politiciansnounUS /ˌpɑːləˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “politician” — a leader engaged in civil administration
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
puzzlesnounUS /ˈpʌzəlz/
plural of “puzzle” — a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
soirée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon; Madame Carolina at the other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided upon the most interesting and important topics of poetry, philosophy, and politics.
visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/
someone who visits
From this reading Madame Carolina held her soirée in her own private apartments, the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capacity of a visitor.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The company was numerous and brilliant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
whistnoun
a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing; superior intelligences, who would neither be interested nor amused, among these Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent.
Zwicken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boston, and Zwicken, and whist interested some, and puzzles and other ingenious games others.
