1870
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/
someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
CENTAURnounUS /ˈsentɔːr/
(classical mythology) a mythical being that is half man and half horse
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
Desnoyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
fourteen-year-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
laborersnounUS /ˈleɪbərərz/
plural of “laborer” — someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
MADARIAGA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
Marcelo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
masonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
middle-classadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəlˈklæs/
occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
nineteennounUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
obligedadjectiveUS /əˈblaɪdʒd/
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
ruinnounUS /ˈruːən/
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/
offering safety; well protected or concealed
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading He was born in the suburbs of Paris, an only child; his father, interested in little building speculations, maintained his family in modest comfort.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
tradenounUS /treɪd/
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a few months, he and his mother descended the slopes of ruin, and were obliged to give up their snug, middle-class quarters and live like laborers.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading The mason wished to make an architect of his son, and Marcelo was in the midst of his preparatory studies when his father suddenly died, leaving his affairs greatly involved.
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading When the fourteen-year-old boy had to choose a trade, he learned wood carving.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading MADARIAGA, THE CENTAUR In 1870 Marcelo Desnoyers was nineteen years old.
