Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
Blas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
caprice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
Castruccio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Cesarini
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
debt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
delights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
discharge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
execrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
favours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
FortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
Gil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
incurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Italian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
loading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Maltravers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "In effect he entered my apartment."--/Gil Blas/.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
perish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
renew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
sneer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
stiffness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
Valerie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Ventadour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--"sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred."
writers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "'I am surprised,' said he, 'at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.'"--/Gil Blas/.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?" cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.