Chapter XXVIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

show off

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a soft partly suppressed laugh

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

a person who makes or repairs shoes

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a French caretaker of apartments or a hotel; lives on the premises and oversees people entering and leaving and handles mail and acts as janitor or porter

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

past form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

possessive form of “cosmos” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

housing that someone is living in

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

in an imperfect or faulty way

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

lacking natural ease

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

a landowner who leases to others

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

the literary culture

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

not divisible by two

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

any property detected by the olfactory system

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

above and across; more than

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

considered individually

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading They understood him but imperfectly, and he, for his part, kept up a continual chuckle behind his sleeve over the blunders of _les Anglais_.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

precisely as stated

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The house of Cosmo’s residence was not a great enough house to boast a regular _portière_ or _concierge_.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

in or at the place that

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

which person or people

From this reading A little cobbler, who lived in an odd little ever-open room, on the ground floor, was the real renter and landlord of the much-divided dwelling place.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Cameron and Cosmo were both very friendly with Baptiste.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He and his old wife lived and labored without change or extension in this one apartment, which answered for all purposes, and in which Baptiste’s scraps of leather contended for preëminence of odor over Margot’s _pot au feu_; and it was here that the lodgers hung up the keys of their respective chambers, and where the letters and messages of the little community were left.