Chapter III

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

possessive form of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

(of time) having passed or slipped by

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings

From this reading Unheard of, extravagant, wonderful thing!

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

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

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

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

darkened with overcast

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

plural of “loaf” — a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

deficient in amount or quality or extent

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

the force of workers available

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Unheard of, extravagant, wonderful thing!

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

add pepper to

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

offensive to the mind

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

cook with dry heat, usually in an oven

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Several days had elapsed since Jacques Ferrand had taken Cecily into his service.

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

From this reading THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

a special situation

From this reading Unheard of, extravagant, wonderful thing!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail; widely domesticated for food

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

not necessarily inaudible but not heard

From this reading Unheard of, extravagant, wonderful thing!

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

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

which person or people

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading We will conduct the reader (who already knows the place) into the notary's office, whilst his clerks are at breakfast.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Unheard of, extravagant, wonderful thing!

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Instead of the meagre and repulsive broth brought each morning to these young men by the late Madame Seraphin, an enormous cold roast turkey, placed in a large box, was enthroned in the centre of one of the office-tables, flanked by two new loaves, a Dutch cheese, and three bottles of wine; an ancient leaden inkstand served to hold a mixture of pepper and salt.