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 Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
absence
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From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
all
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From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
all-absorbing
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From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
also
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From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
assemblage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
aware
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From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
Beaume
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From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
cackling
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From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
comments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
corner
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From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
Crébillon
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From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
daïs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
doubly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
drowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
Duchesse
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From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
echo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
enjoyable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
eventide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
frivolous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
gaily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
geese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
good-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
GOSSIP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
gossiped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
intervening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
inveterate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
la
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
Louvois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
Lydie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
Majesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
matron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
overhearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
pairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
Pontchartrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
rendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
scandal-monger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
sixteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.
topic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
unlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
whispers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.
younger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.
