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 /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
bacchante
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The proprieties had been outraged, but no one knew why.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
birth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
blandly
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From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
boot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
breatheverbUS /briːð/
to speak or reveal information, especially secretly
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
breeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The proprieties had been outraged, but no one knew why.
Cairo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
custom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
Dean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
Gezireh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
harm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
Hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
improper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
outraged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The proprieties had been outraged, but no one knew why.
Palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
pervaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
presumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
PrincessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
proprieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The proprieties had been outraged, but no one knew why.
reception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
reputations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
skirt-dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
superstitious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
Theban
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
uneasiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Something had happened, and no one knew what.
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The proprieties had been outraged, but no one knew why.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly not the custom for a hostess, and a Princess to boot, to dance like a wild bacchante before a crowd of her invited guests, yet, as Dr. Dean blandly observed,-- “Where was the harm?
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In London, ladies of good birth and breeding went in for ‘skirt-dancing,’ and no one presumed to breathe a word against their reputations; why in Cairo should not a lady go in for a Theban dance without being considered improper?”
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
Ziska's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /A curious/ yet very general feeling of superstitious uneasiness and discomfort pervaded the Gezireh Palace Hotel the day after the Princess Ziska’s reception.
