Chapter I

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “appraiser” — one who estimates officially the worth or value or quality of things

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

having authority or ascendancy or influence

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

a period of 100 years

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

an arrangement of parts or elements

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

at any time

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

immediately past

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Their interest, nevertheless, is still fresh, their charm as attractive as ever, and inexplicable, as charm must be.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “production” — the act or process of producing something

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

-ing form of “pronounce” — speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

(military) a temporary or supplementary fortification; typically square or polygonal without flanking defenses

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

the act of choosing or selecting

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

not in physical motion

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Each one has been tested and judged by successive generations of readers and critics.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

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

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

up to a particular time

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment (either for or against something)

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

the second nearest planet to the sun

From this reading Carmen The Taking of the Redoubt The Venus of Ille, etc.

at the time that

From this reading The authoritative appraisers of literary values, French and English, have been pronouncing upon them from the time of their publication until now, when they are still pronouncing upon them, as upon new productions.

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

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading With an Introduction by Grace King G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press The stories here presented are a selection from that brilliant series which shine like a constellation in French literature of the last century, blazoning Mérimée’s name across it.