used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
in addition
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
choleranounUS /ˈkɑːlərə/
an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
Cosette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
decimatedverbUS /ˈdesəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “decimate” — kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
made afraid
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
not any; not one
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
Pontmercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading He had also hinted at being a baron, but this had produced no effect on Cosette.
publishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had confided in each other as far as possible, but this had not extended much further than their names.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading They existed vaguely, frightened at their happiness.
precisely as stated
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They did not notice the cholera which decimated Paris precisely during that very month.
which person or people
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Marius had told Cosette that he was an orphan, that his name was Marius Pontmercy, that he was a lawyer, that he lived by writing things for publishers, that his father had been a colonel, that the latter had been a hero, and that he, Marius, was on bad terms with his grandfather who was rich.
