used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
(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 These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
bastardnounUS /ˈbæstərd/
insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
bourgeoisadjectiveUS /bʊrʒˈwɑː/
(according to Marxist thought) being of the property-owning class and exploitive of the working class
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
combinesnounUS /kəmˈbaɪnz/
plural of “combine” — harvester that heads and threshes and cleans grain while moving across the field
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
denominatedverbUS /dɪˈnɑːməneɪtɪd/
past form of “denominate” — assign a name or title to
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
divisible by two
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
an instinctive motive
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
possessingverbUS /pəˈzesɪŋ/
-ing form of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
rejoices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
express in words
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
sketchnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
Thénardiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
vicesnounUS /ˈvaɪsəz/
plural of “vice” — moral weakness
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
which person or people
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
in the company of; together with
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
workingmannoun
an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
