adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
affianced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
AmidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
badinagenoun
frivolous banter
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
balustersnoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
bevynounUS /ˈbevi/
a large gathering of people of a particular type
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
BigotnounUS /ˈbɪɡət/
a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
cousinnounUS /ˈkʌzən/
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
Gardeur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
Gardeur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
gossipingnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəpɪŋ/
a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
gracefuladjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪsfəl/
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
Héloise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/
not in action or at work
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
inclinationsnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “inclination” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/
past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
Intendant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
LenounUS /lə/
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
Lotbinière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
manifestedverbUS /ˈmænəfestəd/
past form of “manifest” — provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
ManornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
pattedverbUS /ˈpætɪd/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
poseverbUS /poʊz/
introduce
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
protestedverbUS /prəˈtestɪd/
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
Repentigny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
respondedverbUS /rɪˈspɑːndɪd/
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
suggestionnounUS /səˈdʒestʃən/
an idea that is suggested
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
Tilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become affianced to his cousin, Héloise de Lotbinière?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
wilyadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪli/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay Intendant.
