Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

later than; following

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

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

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

plural of “caress” — a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

a young person of either sex

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

brought together in one place

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

past form of “confiscate” — take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

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

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

marked by extreme anger

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

divisible by two

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

set up or found

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

a young female

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

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

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

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

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

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

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

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

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

immediately past

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

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

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

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 Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

many times at short intervals

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

above and across; more than

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

remorse for your past conduct

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

compacted by ironing

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

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

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

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

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

experiencing intense pain especially mental pain

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

up to a particular time

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

intensity or forcefulness of expression

From this reading Many times Hubertine had seen her kissing her hands with vehemence.

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

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

at the time that

From this reading When Hubertine confiscated them there was a terrible scene of tears and cries, as if she herself were being tortured.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She would often be in a fever of ecstasy before the little pictures of saints and of the Child Jesus, which she had collected; and one evening she was found in a half-fainting state, with her head upon the table, and her lips pressed to those of the images.

-ing form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the little girl excess seemed to be a marked characteristic in everything, even in her caresses.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading So, after each fit of passion, that she might learn humility, some menial labour was imposed upon her as a penance, such as washing the cooking-utensils, or wiping up the kitchen floor; and, until it was finished, she would remain stooping over her work, enraged at first, but conquered at last.