adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
cerebraladjectiveUS /ˈserəbrəl/
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
cheatedverbUS /ˈtʃiːtəd/
past form of “cheat” — deprive somebody of something by deceit
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
consciousnessnounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
destroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
distinguishesverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
FathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
Goriot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
inarticulateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjələt/
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
liesnounUS /laɪz/
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
painnounUS /peɪn/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
PooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
reverentadjectiveUS /ˈrevərənt/
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
sighverbUS /saɪ/
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
summedverbUS /sʌmd/
inflected form of “sum” — be a summary of
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
Sylvie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
Thenceforward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Poor dear!” cried Sylvie, melted by that exclamation; the expression of the great love raised for the last time to a sublime height by that most ghastly and involuntary of lies.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
TwonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The father’s last breath must have been a sigh of joy, and in that sigh his whole life was summed up; he was cheated even at the last.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading Two words, two inarticulate murmurs, shaped into words by the soul which fled forth with them as they left his lips.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thenceforward there was no expression on his face, only the painful traces of the struggle between life and death that was going on in the machine; for that kind of cerebral consciousness that distinguishes between pleasure and pain in a human being was extinguished; it was only a question of time--and the mechanism itself would be destroyed.
wretchedadjectiveUS /ˈretʃɪd/
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading They laid Father Goriot upon his wretched bed with reverent hands.
