used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
(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 the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
bastardnounUS /ˈbæstərd/
insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
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 the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
degradedadjectiveUS /dɪˈɡreɪdəd/
unrestrained by convention or morality
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
divisible by two
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
hereafteradverbUS /hɪˈræftər/
in a subsequent part of this document or statement or matter etc.
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
an instinctive motive
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
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 captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
parvenus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
possessingverbUS /pəˈzesɪŋ/
-ing form of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
express in words
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
SKETCHnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
Thénardiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who were the Thénardiers?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
tradesmannoun
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading A SKETCH OF TWO UGLY FACES.
precisely as stated
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
vicesnounUS /ˈvaɪsəz/
plural of “vice” — moral weakness
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Who were the Thénardiers?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
which person or people
From this reading Who were the Thénardiers?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The captured mouse was very small, but the cat is pleased even with a thin mouse.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading We will say one word about them for the present, and complete the sketch hereafter.
workingmannoun
an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading These beings belonged to the bastard class, composed of coarse parvenus, and of degraded people of intellect, which stands between the classes called the middle and the lower, and combines some of the faults of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, though without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman or the honest regularity of the tradesman.
