adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
addsnounUS /ædz/
plural of “add” — a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
adverseadjectiveUS /ædˈvɜːrs/
contrary to your interests or welfare
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
aspectsnounUS /ˈæspekts/
plural of “aspect” — a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
cardinalnounUS /ˈkɑːrdənəl/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
describesverbUS /dɪˈskraɪbz/
third-person singular of “describe” — give a description of
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
directnessnounUS /dərˈektnəs/
trueness of course toward a goal
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
findsnounUS /faɪndz/
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
gracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
HugonounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/
French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
humanitynounUS /hjuːˈmænɪti/
the quality of being humane
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
intensitynounUS /ɪnˈtensəti/
the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
interpretsverbUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrprəts/
third-person singular of “interpret” — make sense of; assign a meaning to
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
judgmentnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
LesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
Maupassantnoun
French writer noted especially for his short stories (1850-1893)
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
Miserables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
PassingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
pennedverbUS /pend/
inflected form of “pen” — produce a literary work
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
qualitiesnounUS /ˈkwɑːlətiz/
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
Tolstoi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as if gracefully to recall a former adverse criticism, Tolstoi adds:
treatsnounUS /triːts/
plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
typenounUS /taɪp/
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
Une
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
vantage-ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
VictornounUS /ˈvɪktər/
a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
VieverbUS /vaɪ/
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
visionnounUS /ˈvɪʒən/
a vivid mental image
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
viz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Maupassant is a man whose vision has penetrated the silent depths of human life, and from that vantage-ground interprets the struggle of humanity."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Passing over the force and directness of the narrative, I am struck by the intensity, the grace, and the insight with which the writer treats the new aspects of human nature which he finds in the life he describes."
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "I find in the book, in almost equal strength, the three cardinal qualities essential to great work, viz: moral purpose, perfect style, and absolute sincerity....
writernounUS /ˈraɪtər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading "'Une Vie' is a romance of the best type, and in my judgment the greatest that has been produced by any French writer since Victor Hugo penned 'Les Miserables.'
