used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
ANGELOT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
BEENauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/
get or ask advice from
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
detainverbUS /dɪˈteɪn/
deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
detainingverbUS /dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
divisible by two
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
a social unit living together
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
a young female
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
only a very short time before
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
Hélène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
Marinière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
not any; not one
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/
inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
Sainfoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was the same with Joseph, in a less degree.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
Urbain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading HOW ANGELOT REFUSED WHAT HAD NOT BEEN OFFERED Madame de Sainfoy herself hardly knew why she wished to consult the family, there and then, on the fate proposed for Hélène.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The truth was, she relied on Urbain, and wanted his support against her husband, with whom the subject was a difficult one.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As to Anne de la Marinière, no particular sympathy was to be expected from her, certainly; but one could not detain Urbain at that hour without detaining her too.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Neither to him nor to Madame Urbain did it matter in the least what marriage was arranged for Hélène de Sainfoy; they had even no right to an opinion; they were neither aunt nor uncle, they had no special place in the world, and the girl had nothing to expect from them.
