Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

later than; following

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

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

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

plural of “anecdote” — short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

any thing at all

From this reading Divide, and buy anything you like.”

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

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

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Divide, and buy anything you like.”

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

separate into parts or portions

From this reading Divide, and buy anything you like.”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

take in liquids

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

beyond normal limits

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

-ing form of “excuse” — accept an excuse for

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

at a previous time

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

in a free manner

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

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

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

something acquired without compensation

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

past form of “intermingle” — combine into one

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Divide, and buy anything you like.”

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

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

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

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

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

unusual or striking

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

use slang or vulgar language

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

rousing or quickening activity or the senses

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

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

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

shedding tears

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

(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 And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

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

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And as they were looking at him, staring, stupid with astonishment, “Well, what of it?” he added with an oath.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading Instead of watering his wine freely, as formerly, he had begun to drink it pure; and he often took two bottles at his meal, excusing himself upon the necessity that he felt the need of stimulating himself a little after his excessive labors.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

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

From this reading Then he would be taken with fits of coarse gayety; and he related singular anecdotes, intermingled with slang expressions, which Maxence alone could understand.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Divide, and buy anything you like.”

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading On the morning of the first day of January, 1872, as he sat down to breakfast, he threw upon the table a roll of fifty napoleons, saying to his children, “Here is your New Year’s gift!