used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
aestheticsnounUS /esˈθetɪks/
(art) the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste (emphasizing the evaluative criteria that are applied to art)
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
Art'snounUS /ɑːrts/
possessive form of “art” — the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
BohemianounUS /boʊˈhiːmiə/
a historical area and former kingdom in the Czech Republic
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
Gautier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
Gavrolles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
gliblyadverbUS /ˈɡlɪbli/
with superficial plausibility
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
heresynounUS /ˈherəsi/
any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
HugonounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/
French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
impeccableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpekəbəl/
without fault or error
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
impudencenoun
an impudent statement
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
Ponto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
RenaissancenounUS /ˌrenəˈsɑːns/
the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
RepublicannounUS /rɪˈpʌblɪkən/
a member of the Republican Party
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
scabreux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading His own verses had been praised by the impeccable Gautier.
VictornounUS /ˈvɪktər/
a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
Villonnoun
French poet (flourished around 1460)
From this reading He could talk glibly of Art for Art’s sake, of the heresy of instruction, of Villon and Bohemia, and of the Renaissance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within the charmed circle to which he was introduced by Ponto, Gavrolles was popular in the extreme.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He possessed all the enthusiasm of the aesthetics, combined with an impudence and a knowledge of the world--especially of the gay world of Paris--which were exquisitely charming.
but in spite of that
From this reading He knew all the wits and poets of the Empire, and his acquaintance with _scabreux_ literature was profound; yet he had sat at the feet of Victor Hugo, and was a Republican by profession.
