used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Was it, indeed, so horrible as the people say?”
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
BastillenounUS /ˈbæstɪl/
a fortress built in Paris in the 14th century and used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was destroyed July 14, 1789 at the start of the French Revolution
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
committingverbUS /kəˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
provoking horror
From this reading Was it, indeed, so horrible as the people say?”
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
an instinctive motive
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it, indeed, so horrible as the people say?”
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
lunacynounUS /ˈluːnəsi/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
nobilitynounUS /noʊˈbɪləti/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Was it, indeed, so horrible as the people say?”
pityingverbUS /ˈpɪtiɪŋ/
-ing form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
recklessnessnounUS /ˈrekləsnəs/
the trait of giving little thought to danger
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
express in words
From this reading Was it, indeed, so horrible as the people say?”
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
sinsnounUS /sɪnz/
plural of “sin” — estrangement from god
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
be seated
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
express in words
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The stranger laid his hand in gentle compassion on the old man’s arm.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
precisely as stated
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was something so sweet and kind in his lunacy, that he could not resist the pitying impulse which possessed him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading What if this gentle old man had, indeed, been a prisoner of the Bastille—a terrible place, which the nobility had used with such fearful recklessness, without pausing to understand what awful sins they were committing against human rights.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Sit down,” he said, “you tremble, and seem very old; while I rest here, tell me something of that prison—of your life there.
