used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
any thing at all
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
brahminnounUS /ˈbrɑːmɪn/
a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
dreamernounUS /ˈdriːmər/
someone who is dreaming
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
elucidatedverbUS /ɪˈluːsədeɪtəd/
past form of “elucidate” — make clear and (more) comprehensible
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
enigmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
apart from; not including
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
intactadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtækt/
constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
Jondrette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
and nothing more
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
kindlinessnoun
friendliness evidence by a kindly and helpful disposition
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
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 Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
Leblanc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
LuxembourgnounUS /ˈlʌksəmbɔːrɡ/
the capital and largest city of Luxembourg
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/
plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
NOSTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
PATERnounUS /ˈpeɪtər/
an informal use of the Latin word for father; sometimes used by British schoolboys or used facetiously
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
by chance
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
toadnounUS /toʊd/
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
vipernounUS /ˈvaɪpər/
venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
vipersnounUS /ˈvaɪpərz/
plural of “viper” — venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw
From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
waxingnounUS /ˈwæksɪŋ/
the application of wax to a surface
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
wretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
