used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
affirmativeadjectiveUS /əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
affirming or giving assent
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
(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 He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
placed in a grave
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
butchersnounUS /ˈbʊtʃərz/
plural of “butcher” — a retailer of meat
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
despoticadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɑːtɪk/
belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
Durtal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
flannelnounUS /ˈflænəl/
a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
haranguenounUS /hərˈæŋ/
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
incoherentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
without logical or meaningful connection
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
Mesurat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
mutton-cutlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
obsequiousadjectiveUS /əbˈsiːkwiəs/
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
on one occasion
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
repellentnounUS /rɪˈpelənt/
a compound with which fabrics are treated to repel water
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
servileadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəl/
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
sketchyadjectiveUS /ˈsketʃi/
giving only major points; lacking completeness
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
having a supporting base
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
