Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
actors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
allow
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From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
appear
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From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
appreciate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
assembly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This brief hour is, as it were, the springtime of a ball.
bond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This brief hour is, as it were, the springtime of a ball.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
dancers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
drama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
encroaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
falls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
fatigue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
freshness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
Fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
handsomest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This brief hour is, as it were, the springtime of a ball.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
incident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
pitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
preserve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
relate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
scattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
spoilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after, when pleasure falls flat and fatigue is encroaching, everything is spoilt.
springtime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This brief hour is, as it were, the springtime of a ball.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
wanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock, just as the dancers were returning to their seats, the company had observed the entrance of the handsomest woman in Paris, the queen of fashion, the only person wanting to the brilliant assembly.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made it a rule never to appear till the moment when a party had reached that pitch of excited movement which does not allow the women to preserve much longer the freshness of their faces or of their dress.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Fully to appreciate the interest of this conversation, it is necessary to relate an incident which would presently serve as an invisible bond, drawing together the actors in this little drama, who were at present scattered through the rooms.
