used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
benevolencenounUS /bəˈnev.əl.əns/
The quality of being well meaning; kindness and generosity. (Lòng nhân ái, sự nhân từ độ lượng.)
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
brahminnounUS /ˈbrɑːmɪn/
a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
COUNTERPLOTnoun
a plot intended to subvert another plot
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
developingadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpɪŋ/
relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
dreamernounUS /ˈdriːmər/
someone who is dreaming
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
enigmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
a young female
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
intactadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtækt/
constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
Jondrette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
Leblanc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
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 His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
LuxembourgnounUS /ˈlʌksəmbɔːrɡ/
the capital and largest city of Luxembourg
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
not any; not one
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
by chance
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
pitiedverbUS /ˈpɪtiːd/
inflected form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
except for; apart from
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
toadnounUS /toʊd/
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
villainsnounUS /ˈvɪlənz/
plural of “villain” — a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
vipernounUS /ˈvaɪpər/
venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
vipersnounUS /ˈvaɪpərz/
plural of “viper” — venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
