Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
accounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
Ah
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From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
ambassador's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
artist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
bet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
Blondet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Boule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Careme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Chatelet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
Church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
des
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
Esther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
knows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
La
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
Lawrence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Levites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
Lucien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
Lupeaulx
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
masked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
Raphael
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Rastignac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
Rubempre's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a doubt of it,” cried du Chatelet, “and Monsieur du Rubempre’s fortune is accounted for.”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
Serizy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
Taglioni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
Torpille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “La Torpille is too dear, as Raphael was, or Careme, or Taglioni, or Lawrence, or Boule, or any artist of genius is too dear,” said Blondet.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Ah, the Church knows how to choose its Levites; what a sweet ambassador’s secretary he will make!” remarked des Lupeaulx.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Esther never looked so thoroughly a lady,” said Rastignac, pointing to the masked figure to whom Lucien had given his arm.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I will bet on its being Madame de Serizy.”
