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 Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

plural of “aberration” — a state or condition markedly different from the norm

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

more than enough in size or scope or capacity

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

from appearances alone

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

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

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

bewildering or striking dumb with wonder

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

plural of “commissary” — a retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel)

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

a retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel)

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

plural of “confession” — an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

determining or having the power to determine an outcome

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

the quality of being humane

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

ten 10s

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

of great significance or value

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

used to form the superlative

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

not any; not one

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

on one occasion

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

and nothing more

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

by chance

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

have sovereign power

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

express in words

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The dark side of the most brilliant lives has no mysteries for him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

superlative of “sound” — financially secure and safe

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading He has received the strangest confidences: he has listened to the most astounding confessions.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

bring under control by force or authority

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Their modest title covers the most important, perhaps, of magistracies, almost the only one known to the lower classes; an enormous power, and an influence so decisive, that the most sensible statesman of the reign of Louis Philippe ventured once to say, “Give me twenty good commissaries of police in Paris, and I’ll undertake to suppress any government: net profit, one hundred millions.”

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

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He knows how low humanity can stoop, and what aberrations there are in brains apparently the soundest.

at the time that

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.

but in spite of that

From this reading Parisian above all, the commissary has had ample time to study his ground when he was yet only a peace-officer.