used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A strange man was Monsieur Eugène.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
Bertier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
CONSULTATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading THE CONSULTATION.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
Eugène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
Firmin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
land-owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A strange man was Monsieur Eugène.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/
the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
in the near future
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
on the contrary
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
possessing material wealth
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A strange man was Monsieur Eugène.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CONSULTATION.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Having received a liberal education in other branches, Eugène Bertier went to Paris to study medicine.
at the time that
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Scarcely had the outer door closed upon Firmin when Monsieur Eugène finished his interview with the land-owner, and presently Catherine was asked to come into his office.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was rich in many good qualities, but he had one fault, or rather an unfortunate failing, which had practically destroyed those gifts of nature which would have made him a great success had he but devoted himself to one profession or one art.
