used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
for the reason that
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
commissariesnounUS /ˈkɑːməseriz/
plural of “commissary” — a retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel)
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
commissarynounUS /ˈkɑːməseri/
a retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel)
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
conciergenounUS /ˌkɑːnsiˈerʒ/
a French caretaker of apartments or a hotel; lives on the premises and oversees people entering and leaving and handles mail and acts as janitor or porter
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
Desormeaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
at any time
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
Gilberte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was none too soon.
IVnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
and nothing more
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
Mlle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
not any; not one
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
not one, and not any
From this reading It was none too soon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Saved!” she said.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading “Saved!” she said.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Saved!” she said.
simpletons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
in the near future
From this reading It was none too soon.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
a special situation
From this reading IV The commissaries of police of Paris, as a general thing, are no simpletons; and, if they are ever taken in, it is because it has suited them to be taken in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was none too soon.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was none too soon.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading But Mlle. Gilberte remained long enough at the window to recognize her father’s voice asking the concierge to open the door, and to hear the heavy gate of the adjoining house closing behind him.
be the cause or source of
From this reading M. Desormeaux had just been compelled to yield; and the commissary of police was walking in.
