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The Man in the Iron Mask
The Man in the Iron Mask

Chapter V · Another Supper at the Bastile

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Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.
The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.
It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.
The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.
We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Man in the Iron Mask

Chapter V · Another Supper at the Bastile

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.
Line 2
The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.
Line 3
It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.
Line 4
The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.
Line 5
We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.”

Sovereign adjective US /ˈsɑːv.rən/

Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.

From this reading “We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.”

All words in this reading · 102

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

abundance

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

accessories

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

adorned

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

all

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

ascending

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

Baisemeaux

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

baskets

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

Bastile

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

bonds

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

bottles

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

captives

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

From this reading It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.

carrying

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

clock

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

clocks

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

condition

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

consolation

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

cook

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

de

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

delicacies

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

delicacy

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

destination

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

dispenser

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

doors

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

enormous

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

famous

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

figures

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

filled

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

fortress

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

full-laden

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

gastronomic

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

grating

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

head

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

hinges

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

honestly

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

hour

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

like

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

M

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

minds

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

most

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

o'clock

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

opened

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

period

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

Peter

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

prison

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

prisoner

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

prisoners

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

provisions

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

punishment

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

recalled

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

regulated

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

represented

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

royal

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

Seven

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

shape

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

some

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

sounded

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/

Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

St

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

staircases

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

state

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

steep

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

supper

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

From this reading It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.

taught

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

theories

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

time-piece

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

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

torture

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

trays

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

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

unfortunate

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

From this reading It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner.

use

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

very

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

vintages

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Seven o’clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners’ minds the destination of every hour of their punishment.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds.