adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
ballnounUS /bɔːl/
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
blameworthyadjective
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
Catherine'snounUS /ˈkæθrɪnz/
possessive form of “catherine” — first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
ClassnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
comediannounUS /kəˈmiːdiən/
a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
conformingadjectiveUS /kənˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
adhering to established customs or doctrines (especially in religion)
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
customnounUS /ˈkʌstəm/
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
EmperornounUS /ˈempərər/
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
Emperor'snounUS /ˈempərərz/
possessive form of “emperor” — the male ruler of an empire
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
enteringnounUS /ˈentərɪŋ/
a movement into or inward
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
fieldnounUS /fiːld/
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
good-for-nothingnoun
an idle worthless person
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
honoredadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
honorsnounUS /ˈɑːnərz/
plural of “honor” — a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
Kutúzov
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
marshalverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
place in proper rank
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
NextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
OrdernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
proprieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
Vílna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to set that example, but everybody understood that the old man was blameworthy and good-for-nothing.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which the Emperor honored by his presence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Kutúzov had received the Order of St. George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highest honors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Emperor’s displeasure with Kutúzov was specially increased at Vílna by the fact that Kutúzov evidently could not or would not understand the importance of the coming campaign.
wryadjectiveUS /raɪ/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading When Kutúzov, conforming to a custom of Catherine’s day, ordered the standards that had been captured to be lowered at the Emperor’s feet on his entering the ballroom, the Emperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some people caught the words, “the old comedian.”
