Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

fully understood or grasped

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

acting with a specific goal

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

troops trained to fight on horseback

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

in a composed and unconcerned manner

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

French painter of Italian landscapes (1796-1875)

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

plural of “examination” — the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

a social unit living together

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

immediately past

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

in a nice way

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

not any; not one

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

and nothing more

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

an artist who paints

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

a technical school offering instruction in many industrial arts and applied sciences

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

on the contrary

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

-ing form of “reap” — gather, as of natural products

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

an educational institution

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

precisely as stated

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

plural of “vignette” — a brief literary description

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But, in the way of pictures, M. Vincent Favoral appreciated only the blue vignettes of the Bank of France.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

which person or people

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

in a willing manner

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading “I wish no artists in my family,” he said, in a tone that admitted of no reply.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Maxence would willingly have become an engineer, for it’s rather the style to be an engineer now-a-days; but the examinations for the Polytechnic School are rather steep.

a late time of life

From this reading Or else a cavalry officer; but the two years at Saint Cyr are not very gay.

be the cause or source of

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Under the pretext that he drew nicely, he spoke of becoming a painter, calculating coolly what painting may yield, and reckoning, according to some newspaper, the earnings of Corot or Geroine, Ziem, Bouguereau, and some others, who are reaping at last the fruits of unceasing efforts and crushing labors.