used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
aristocratsnounUS /ərˈɪstəkræts/
plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
BalzacnounUS /bɑːlˈzæk/
French novelist; he portrays the complexity of 19th century French society (1799-1850)
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
Balzac's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
bindingnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
boastedverbUS /ˈboʊstəd/
past form of “boast” — show off
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
a period of 100 years
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
Dino
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
ducaladjectiveUS /ˈduːkəl/
of or belonging to or suitable for a duke
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
duchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
Duchesse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
EugenenounUS /juːˈdʒiːn/
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
exnounUS /eks/
a man who was formerly a certain woman's husband
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
a social unit living together
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
incasedadjective
covered or protected with or as if with a case
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
L'Amour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
libris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
MaskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
Masquenoun
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
the force of workers available
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
Mussetnoun
French poet and writer (1810-1857)
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
offeringsnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋz/
plural of “offering” — something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
richnessnounUS /ˈrɪtʃnəs/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
salonsnounUS /səˈlɑːnz/
plural of “salon” — gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
similarlyadverbUS /ˈsɪmələrli/
in like or similar manner
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
tooledverbUS /tuːld/
past form of “tool” — drive
From this reading The Balzac manuscript was incased in a finely tooled binding of great richness and beauty, bearing the _ex libris_ of the ducal family.
unfailingadjectiveUS /ənˈfeɪlɪŋ/
not liable to failure
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
unpublishedadjectiveUS /ənˈpʌblɪʃt/
not published
From this reading She placed Balzac's unpublished book on her shelves by the side of similarly unpublished poems by Alfred de Musset, and stories by Eugene Sue and others.
untitledadjective
not of the nobility
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
in or at the place that
From this reading For more than half a century the manuscript remained where the duchess had placed it.
which person or people
From this reading The duchess was one of the few French aristocrats who in Balzac's time welcomed untitled authors to their salons, and her library boasted many such offerings from the literary men of her day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Balzac, in gratitude to the Duchesse de Dino for her friendship and unfailing kindness to him, one day presented her with the story of "L'Amour Masque" (Love in a Mask) in his own handwriting.
