1848
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/
without doubt or question
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
clergynounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒi/
in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
despairnounUS /dɪˈsper/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
fightsnounUS /faɪts/
plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Plassans sleeps while Paris fights.
goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
KingsnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
nobilitynounUS /noʊˈbɪləti/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading Plassans sleeps while Paris fights.
Plassans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
popularadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələr/
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
republicsnounUS /riˈpʌblɪks/
plural of “republic” — a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
sequesteredadjectiveUS /sɪˈkwestərd/
providing privacy or seclusion
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
sleepsnounUS /sliːps/
plural of “sleep” — a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Plassans sleeps while Paris fights.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
stirverbUS /stɜːr/
move an implement through
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
thrones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
usurpverbUS /ˌjuːˈsɜːrp/
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Even at the present day the popular voice sounds very faintly there; the middle classes bring their prudence to bear in the matter, the nobility their mute despair, and the clergy their shrewd cunning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In that closed, sequestered town of Plassans, where class distinction was so clearly marked in 1848, the commotion caused by political events was very slight.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Plassans sleeps while Paris fights.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Kings may usurp thrones, or republics may be established, without scarcely any stir in the town.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But though on the surface the town may appear calm and indifferent, in the depths hidden work goes on which it is curious to study.
