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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
acted
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
actor
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
adopted
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
air
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
AlreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
assume
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
assumed
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
attorney
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
attractions
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
became
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
career
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
carefully
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
charming
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
command
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
considerable
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
countenance
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
de
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
death
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
deputy
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
easy
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
exert
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
family
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
father
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
favor
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
finished
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
glass
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
grave
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
greatest
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
Gérard
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
happy
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
held
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
high
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
holds
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
interfere
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
judicial
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
king
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
like
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
line
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
Mademoiselle
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
man
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
marry
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
nobility
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
Now
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
official
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
only
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
own
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
passionately
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
personal
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
politics
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
possessed
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
prudence
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
reasonably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
recollection
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From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
Saint-Méran's
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From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
salon
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
severity
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
situation
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
spite
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
studied
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From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
twenty-seven
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From this reading Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
Villefort
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From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor.
