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 Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
adjusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
African
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From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
aslant
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From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
Baron
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From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
Bayard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
blowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
ceiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
cigarettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
Constantin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
cosey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
cushions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
Dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
divan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
explorer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
Greenough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
Ivan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
kitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
lounges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
nestled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
Petrovski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
pillows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
restful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
rings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
rug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Greenough, his long body aslant, his head on the edge of a chair, his feet on the hearth rug, was blowing rings to the ceiling.
Russian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
salon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
serving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
Sleyde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
slippered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
stools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The dinner had been a merry one, with every brain at its best; this restful silence was but another luxury.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Dinner was over, and Mme. Constantin and her guests were seated under the lighted candles in her cosey salon.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the serving of the coffee and cigarettes, pillows had been adjusted to bare shoulders, stools moved under slippered feet, and easy lounges pushed nearer the fire.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard, the African explorer, and the young Russian Secretary, Ivan Petrovski, had each the end of a long sofa, with pretty Mme. Petrovski and old Baron Sleyde between them, while Mme. Constantin lay nestled like a kitten among the big and little cushions of a divan.
