Chapter IV · Chapter 4

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

-ing form of “accumulate” — get or gather together

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

(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 had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a cherished desire

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

brought into existence

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

being one more than seven

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

one or the other of two

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

to an extreme degree

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

comparative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

and nothing more

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a church endowment

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

never-ceasing

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

plural of “province” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

of or associated with a province

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

on the contrary

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

an educational institution

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

not used to good advantage

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus Armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.

at the time that

From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.

a late time of life

From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.