adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
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 What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
bowingnounUS /ˈboʊɪŋ/
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
condescensionnounUS /ˌkɑːndəˈsenʃən/
the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
dancesnounUS /ˈdænsəz/
plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
dropverbUS /drɑːp/
let fall to the ground
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
enjoyableadjectiveUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
executingnounUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪŋ/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
famenounUS /feɪm/
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
good-naturedadjective
having an easygoing and cheerful disposition
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
Gorchakóv
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
hostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
Iogel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
Iogel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
marriagesnounUS /ˈmerɪdʒɪz/
plural of “marriage” — the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/
joined in matrimony
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
MoscownounUS /ˈmɑːskoʊ/
a city of central European Russia; formerly capital of both the Soviet Union and Soviet Russia; since 1991 the capital of the Russian Federation
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
PrincessesnounUS /ˈprɪnsesɪz/
plural of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
suitorsnounUS /ˈsuːtərz/
plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The two pretty young Princesses Gorchakóv met suitors there and were married and so further increased the fame of these dances.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/
plural of “ticket” — 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 What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
visitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Iogel’s were the most enjoyable balls in Moscow.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What distinguished them from others was the absence of host or hostess and the presence of the good-natured Iogel, flying about like a feather and bowing according to the rules of his art, as he collected the tickets from all his visitors.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading That year two marriages had come of these balls.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading So said the mothers as they watched their young people executing their newly learned steps, and so said the youths and maidens themselves as they danced till they were ready to drop, and so said the grown-up young men and women who came to these balls with an air of condescension and found them most enjoyable.
