used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
benevolentadjectiveUS /bəˈnevələnt/
intending or showing kindness
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
breechesnounUS /ˈbriːtʃɪz/
(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
cambricnoun
a finely woven white linen
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
CAVALIERnounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪr/
a gallant or courtly gentleman
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
elegancenounUS /ˈeləɡəns/
a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
coins made of gold
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
horsemannounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
knee-pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
looselyadverbUS /ˈluːsli/
in a relaxed manner; not rigid
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
Létorière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
engage in
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
MarquisnounUS /ˌmɑːrˈkiː/
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
morocconounUS /mərˈɑːkoʊ/
a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
of an obscure nature
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
on one occasion
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
go across or through
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
pearl-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
pedestalnounUS /ˈpedəstəl/
a support or foundation
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
protectress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
possessing material wealth
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
riding-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
sauntering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
cut with a saw
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
small-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
taffetanounUS /ˈtæfətə/
a crisp smooth lustrous fabric
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
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 THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CAVALIER One day, the Marquis was sauntering by the banks of the grand canal, at Versailles, in melancholy meditation, and thinking, sadly, that he had been abandoned by his mysterious protectress.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
which person or people
From this reading At a little distance from him, Létorière saw a middle-aged horseman, who was vainly striving to make his beast pass a marble pedestal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It consisted of a green coat trimmed with rich gold lace, scarlet breeches, a vest of the same color, and high boots of shining black morocco, the tops of which hung loosely upon knee-pieces of fine cambric.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading He had come from the riding-school, and his riding costume set off wonderfully the elegance of his figure.
a late time of life
From this reading Two persons witnessed this contest; one, a man of fifty to sixty years, dressed in a coat of pearl-gray taffeta and silk small-clothes of the same color, had a countenance at once handsome, noble, and benevolent.
