Chapter IX

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

how long something has existed

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

(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 "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

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

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

take revenge for a perceived wrong

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

an occurrence of something

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

past form of “defame” — charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

mark as different

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

divisible by two

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

plural of “favor” — an act of gracious kindness

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

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

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

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

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

totally unlikely

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "It is Violette."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It is Violette."

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

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

and nothing more

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

not one and not the other of two

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

not any; not one

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

introduce

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

plural of “pretend” — the enactment of a pretense

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

be shown or be found to be

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

without shame

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

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

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

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

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

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

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Thereupon Jericourt felt called upon to draw himself up and assume an impertinent tone.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

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

From this reading "It is Violette."

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

at the time that

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

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

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

which person or people

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading "A man of my age, monsieur, knows the world well enough to distinguish the false from the true; and when one can avenge a woman who has been shamelessly defamed by a conceited coxcomb, age makes no difference, monsieur, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "Why, in that case, the young man who pretends to have had her favors--is----" "Just so; it is monsieur."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Monsieur," said he to Roncherolle, "I do not understand all the absurd stories and fairy-tales which you have been telling us, and which have neither head nor tail; but what seems even more inconceivable is that a man of your age should pose as the knight of flower girls!"