adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as it was I dared not wait.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
attachedadjectiveUS /əˈtætʃt/
being joined in close association
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as it was I dared not wait.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
daredverbUS /derd/
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading But as it was I dared not wait.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
delayverbUS /dɪˈleɪ/
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
MnounUS /em/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
mademoisellenounUS /ˌmædəməˈzel/
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
Maignan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
Marquis's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
moodnounUS /muːd/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
overlookverbUS /ˈoʊvərlʊk/
look past, fail to notice
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
Rambouilletnoun
hardy sheep developed from the merino producing both good mutton and fine wool
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
risknounUS /rɪsk/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading I dared not risk the delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only course open to me was to go at once to M. de Rambouillet and tell him frankly how the matter stood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
waitverbUS /weɪt/
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading But as it was I dared not wait.
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Had it not been for that I might have waited until morning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a more reasonable mood then.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as it was I dared not wait.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into the street, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence he could overlook an intruder without being seen himself.
wonderingadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərɪŋ/
showing curiosity
From this reading I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do in an emergency to which the Marquis’s message of the afternoon attached so pressing a character.
