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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
Adam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
Barbille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
beech-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
biographer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
chicken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
commonplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
effectively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
elements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
futilely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
guess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
initiative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Jacques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
kill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
labourer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Laplatte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
magnate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
manual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
master-carpenter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
mingled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no genius in that.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
obvious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
originality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
posed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Regime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
Saviour's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
spreading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
stunned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
sympathetically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
variation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
vaultnounUS /vɔːlt/
a stone room, often below a church, used for burial
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
Vilray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
wayward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
wife's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When, from under the spreading beech-tree, Jean Jacques saw his wife footing it back to her house with a light, wayward step; when he watched the master-carpenter vault over a stone fence five feet high with a smile of triumph mingled with doubt on his face, he was too stunned at first to move or speak.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading originality of a kind, and not without initiative; but there were also the elements of the very old Adam in him, and the strain of the obvious.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he had been a real genius, rather than a mere lively variation of the commonplace--a chicken that could never burst its shell, a bird which could not quite break into song--he might have made his biographer guess hard and futilely, as to what he would do after having seen his wife's arms around the neck of another man than himself--a man little more than a manual labourer, while he, Jean Jacques Barbille, had come of the people of the Old Regime.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, this magnate of St. Saviour's, who yesterday posed so sympathetically and effectively in the Court at Vilray as a figure of note, did the quite obvious thing: he determined to kill the master-carpenter from Laplatte.
