used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
Belgarde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
ChâteaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
A large French country house or castle, often surrounded by expansive estates and private galleries.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
châteaus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
cursesnounUS /ˈkɜːrsɪz/
plural of “curse” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
demoisellenoun
a young unmarried woman
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
duchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
divisible by two
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
at any time
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
gayety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
grandmother'snounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðərz/
possessive form of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
lurkedverbUS /lɜːrkt/
past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
not any; not one
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
ofteneradverbUS /ˈɔːfənər/
more often or more frequently
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
peasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/
plural of “peasant” — a country person
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
racketing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
rentsnounUS /rents/
plural of “rent” — a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
reticentadjectiveUS /ˈretɪsənt/
temperamentally disinclined to talk
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
cut with a saw
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
SixteenthadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːnθ/
coming next after the fifteenth in position
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
taxesnounUS /ˈtæksəz/
plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
threatsnounUS /θrets/
plural of “threat” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
Trimousette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
VALENÇAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
VersaillesnounUS /verˈsaɪ/
a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
(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 Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
at the time that
From this reading She had no more liberty and not much more money as Duchess of Belgarde than when she lived in her grandmother’s house as a little demoiselle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Trimousette saw Madame de Valençay oftener than any other woman of her acquaintance.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was much to buy and to give, and besides, ever since King Louis the Sixteenth called the States General together, the peasants had refused to pay their rents and even their taxes, and the work people demanded their money with threats and curses.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading MADAME DE VALENÇAY The gayety and racketing went on during the whole year at one place or another--the Château de Belgarde, other châteaus, Paris and Versailles.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Madame de Valençay was fairly polite, but in her eyes and smile lurked a kind of insolence which the reticent young duchess understood quite well, but of which she made not the slightest sign.
