Chapter II · The Blue Diamond

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

Having no one else present.

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

chair with a support on each side for arms

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

in a state of sleep

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a line of approach

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

capital of Germany located in eastern Germany

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a religious residence especially for nuns

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

prepare a hot meal

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

being one more than ten

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the act of departing

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

march in a procession

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

according to the clock

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

precisely as stated

From this reading “Very well, Sister.”

imparting heat

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “Very well, Sister.”

during the time that

From this reading On the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri-Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d’Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night-lamp.

which person or people

From this reading At eleven o’clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading “Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant.”