used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
attackingadjectiveUS /əˈtækɪŋ/
disposed to attack
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
BoursenounUS /bɔːrs/
the stock exchange in Paris
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
Choiseul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
demolishers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
destroyingverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
Dix-Décembre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
expropriationnounUS /ˌeksproʊpriˈeɪʃən/
taking out of an owner's hands (especially taking property by public authority)
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
gangsnounUS /ɡæŋz/
plural of “gang” — an association of criminals
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
the act of departing
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
judgmentsnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənts/
plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
and nothing more
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
Louis-le-Grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
engage in
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
mansionsnounUS /ˈmæntʃənz/
plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
Michodière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
OperanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
ParadisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
picksnounUS /pɪks/
plural of “pick” — the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
RuenounUS /ruː/
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
not in physical motion
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Rue de Choiseul and the Rue de la Michodière got quite excited over their condemned houses.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
thoroughfarenounUS /ˈθɜːroʊfer/
a public road from one place to another
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
VaudevillenounUS /ˈvɑːdvɪl/
a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The expropriation judgments had just been delivered, two gangs of demolishers were already attacking the opening at the two ends, the first pulling down the old mansions in the Rue Louis-le-Grand, the other destroying the thin walls of the old Vaudeville; and one could hear the picks getting closer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading At this time the whole neighbourhood was talking of the great thoroughfare to be opened from the Bourse to the new Opera House, under the name of the Rue du Dix-Décembre.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But what stirred up the district still more, was the work going on at The Ladies' Paradise.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Before a fortnight passed, the opening would make a great hole in these streets, letting in the sun and air.
