1879
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
anteroomnoun
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
attiredadjectiveUS /əˈtaɪrd/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
canvassersnounUS /ˈkænvəsərz/
plural of “canvasser” — a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
carriagenounUS /ˈkærɪdʒ/
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
corridorsnounUS /ˈkɔːrɪdərz/
plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
Desvarennes's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
earnounUS /iːr/
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
elegantlyadverbUS /ˈelɪɡəntliː/
with elegance; in a tastefully elegant manner
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
hastilyadverbUS /ˈheɪstəli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
inattentiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈtentɪv/
showing a lack of attention or care
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
lendingnounUS /ˈlendɪŋ/
disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
medalnounUS /ˈmedəl/
an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
messengernounUS /ˈmesəndʒər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
militaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɪləteri/
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
monthnounUS /mʌnθ/
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
newspapernounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpər/
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
skullcapnounUS /ˈskʌlkæp/
rounded brimless cap fitting the crown of the head
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading On seeing the young man enter by the private door, the messenger rose, dropped his newspaper on the armchair, hastily raised his velvet skullcap, tried to smile, and made two steps forward.
visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/
someone who visits
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
well-appointedadjective
having a full array of suitable equipment or furnishings
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The visitor found himself in an anteroom which communicated with several corridors.
whisperedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪspərd/
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A messenger was seated in the depth of a large armchair, reading the newspaper, and not even lending an inattentive ear to the whispered conversation of a dozen canvassers, who were patiently awaiting their turn for gaining a hearing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The young man passed quickly before the porter in uniform, decorated with a military medal, stationed near the door.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading One morning in the month of May, 1879, a young man, elegantly attired, alighted from a well-appointed carriage before the door of Madame Desvarennes's house.
