adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
appealverbUS /əˈpiːl/
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
catastrophesnounUS /kəˈtæstrəfiz/
plural of “catastrophe” — an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
Chesnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
colleaguenounUS /ˈkɑːliɡ/
an associate that one works with
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
d'Esgrignon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
entreatynounUS /enˈtriːti/
earnest or urgent request
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
ESTIMABLEadjectiveUS /ˈestəməbəl/
deserving of respect or high regard
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
honornounUS /ˈɑːnər/
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
honorableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
MarquisnounUS /ˌmɑːrˈkiː/
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
oweverbUS /oʊ/
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It is no question of myself or of mine, Sorbier, for I lost poor Mme. Chesnel, and I have no child of my own.
refuseverbUS /rəˈfjuːz/
show unwillingness towards
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
SORBIER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
sorrownounUS /ˈsɑːroʊ/
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Something more to me than my own family (if I had one) is involved--it is the Marquis d’Esgrignon’s only son.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading And now I ask this service of you, my friend, and my white hairs will be brought with sorrow to the grave if you should refuse my entreaty.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading And now I appeal to old memories of the days when we worked in the same office, old pleasant memories for our hearts, to ask you to do me the one service that I have ever asked of you in the course of our long lives, crossed as they have been by political catastrophes, to which, perhaps, I owe it that I have the honor to be your colleague.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “MY DEAR AND ESTIMABLE SORBIER,--I remember with no little pleasure that I made my first campaign in our honorable profession under your father, and that you had a liking for me, poor little clerk that I was.
