adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
adorningverbUS /əˈdɔːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adorn” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
affectverbUS /əˈfekt/
have an effect upon
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
articlesnounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəlz/
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
elegancenounUS /ˈeləɡəns/
a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
exaggerateverbUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/
to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
foppery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
Henri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
Laurent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
PaulnounUS /pɔːl/
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
refrainverbUS /rɪˈfreɪn/
resist doing something
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
utensilsnounUS /juːˈtensəlz/
plural of “utensil” — an implement for practical use (especially in a household)
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(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 “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
