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 The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
Alfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
allusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
august
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
bewilderednounUS /bewildered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
Bonnycastle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
campaign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
carnival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
chapter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
Count
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
coveted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His successor went out a good deal for a President.
distribution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
eighteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
electoral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His successor went out a good deal for a President.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
hasten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
inauguration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
inviting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
irreverent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
national
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
Otto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His successor went out a good deal for a President.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
President
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
presidential
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
referring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
ruler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
signified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
spoils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
State
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
successor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His successor went out a good deal for a President.
suggestion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
tenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His successor went out a good deal for a President.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was Mrs. Bonnycastle’s carnival, and on the occasion to which I began my chapter by referring the President had not only been invited but had signified his intention of being present.
whimsical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been bewildered during those first weeks by finding that at the national capital in the houses he supposed to be the best, the head of the State was not a coveted guest; for this could be the only explanation of Mr. Bonnycastle’s whimsical suggestion of their inviting him, as it were, in carnival.
White
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The White House had received a new tenant—the old one was then just leaving it—and Count Otto had had the advantage, during the first eighteen months of his stay in America, of seeing an electoral campaign, a presidential inauguration and a distribution of spoils.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I hasten to add that this was not the same august ruler to whom Alfred Bonnycastle’s irreverent allusion had been made.
