1655
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/
someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
broadcastverbUS /ˈbrɔːdkæst/
broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
calculateverbUS /ˈkælkjəleɪt/
make a mathematical calculation or computation
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
caryatides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
courtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
decoratornounUS /ˈdekəreɪtər/
a person who specializes in interior decoration
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
designernounUS /dɪˈzaɪnər/
a person who specializes in interior design
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
epochnounUS /ˈepək/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
expendedverbUS /ɪkˈspendɪd/
past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
faultnounUS /fɔːlt/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
fertileadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtəl/
capable of reproducing
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
Fouquet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
FrancenounUS /fræns/
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
gatheringnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
honornounUS /ˈɑːnər/
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
illustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
inclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
leaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
Lebrun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
Lenotre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
Levau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
magnificentadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/
most important element
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
Mazarin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
Melun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
millionsnounUS /ˈmɪljənz/
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
narrowedadjectiveUS /ˈneroʊd/
reduced in size as by squeezing together
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
pretentiousadjectiveUS /priˈtenʃəs/
making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
principalnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
proverbialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɜːrbiəl/
of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
reproached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
restorationnounUS /ˌrestərˈeɪʃən/
the reign of Charles II in England; 1660-1685
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
resultnounUS /rɪˈzʌlt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
roofingnounUS /ˈruːfɪŋ/
material used to construct a roof
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
ruinnounUS /ˈruːən/
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
scarcitynounUS /ˈskersɪti/
a small and inadequate amount
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/
doubtful or suspect
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/
being of use or service
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Vaux-le-Vicomte, when its magnificent gates, supported by caryatides, have been passed through, has the principal front of the main building opening upon a vast, so-called, court of honor, inclosed by deep ditches, bordered by a magnificent stone balustrade.
VauxnounUS /vɔːks/
United States landscape architect (born in England) who designed Central Park (1824-1895)
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
vicesnounUS /ˈvaɪsəz/
plural of “vice” — moral weakness
From this reading However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, situated about a league from Melun, had been built by Fouquet in 1655, at a time when there was a scarcity of money in France; Mazarin had taken all that there was, and Fouquet expended the remainder.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the Chateau de Vaux possessed a single fault with which it could be reproached, it was its grand, pretentious character.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is even at the present day proverbial to calculate the number of acres of roofing, the restoration of which would, in our age, be the ruin of fortunes cramped and narrowed as the epoch itself.
