adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
barometernounUS /bərˈɑːmɪtər/
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
Bertelliere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
buffetsnounUS /ˈbʌfəts/
plural of “buffet” — a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
card-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
chess-board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
chimney-piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
closetsnounUS /ˈklɑːzəts/
plural of “closet” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
deceasednounUS /dɪˈsiːst/
someone who is no longer alive
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
disported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
ecclesiasticaladjectiveUS /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
enlivenedadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənd/
made sprightly or cheerful
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
Gentillet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
gildingnounUS /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
Grandet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
grandfathernounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/
the father of your father or mother
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
gros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
guisenounUS /ɡaɪz/
an artful or simulated semblance
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
lanounUS /lɑː/
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
licentiouslyadverb
in a licentious and promiscuous manner
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
lieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/
a commissioned military officer
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
marquetrynoun
inlaid veneers are fitted together to form a design or picture that is then used to ornament furniture
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
MonsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
ovalnounUS /ˈoʊvəl/
a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
pasteladjectiveUS /pæˈstel/
lacking in body or vigor
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
problematicaladjectiveUS /ˌprɑːbləˈmætɪkəl/
open to doubt or debate
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/
take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
shepherdessnoun
a woman shepherd
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
tassels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
ToursnounUS /tʊrz/
an industrial city in western France on the Loire River
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
