adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
advantageousadjectiveUS /ˌædvənˈteɪdʒəs/
giving an advantage
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
BARBAULD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
blossomsnounUS /ˈblɑːsəmz/
plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
celebritynounUS /səˈlebrɪti/
a widely known person
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
crueltynounUS /ˈkruːlti/
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
cultivateverbUS /ˈkʌltəveɪt/
foster the growth of
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
encourageverbUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒ/
contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/
a feeling of excitement
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
ExcellencenounUS /ˈeksələns/
the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
Fleury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
informedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/
having much knowledge or education
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
KnowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
lionnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
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 A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
ninenounUS /naɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
obtainedverbUS /əbˈteɪnd/
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
praisenounUS /preɪz/
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
pupil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
rhymingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪmɪŋ/
having corresponding sounds especially terminal sounds
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
scribblernounUS /ˈskrɪblər/
informal terms for journalists
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
SisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
subsistencenounUS /səbˈsɪstəns/
minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting
From this reading To encourage her to become a mere rhyming scribbler, without any chance of obtaining celebrity or securing subsistence, would be folly and cruelty.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
unlocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/
being of use or service
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
versenounUS /vɜːrs/
literature in metrical form
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
Victoire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few days after Madame de Fleury had told Victoire the fable of the lion and the mouse, she was informed by Sister Frances that Victoire had put the fable into verse.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Excellence in the poetic art cannot be obtained without a degree of application for which a girl in her situation could not have leisure.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading It was wonderfully well done for a child of nine years old, and Madame de Fleury was tempted to praise the lines; but, checking the enthusiasm of the moment, she considered whether it would be advantageous to cultivate her pupil's talent for poetry.
