Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

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

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

dearly loved

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

a state at a particular time

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

a female human offspring

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

plural of “eyelid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

a social unit living together

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a New Orleans district lying outside the original city limits; used in combination with the names of various quarters of the city

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

a child of your son or daughter

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

to an exceedingly great extent or degree

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

engage in

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

the force of workers available

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

not any; not one

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

and nothing more

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

loss of the ability to move a body part

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

receiving deferential regard

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

(corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

a male human offspring

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

completely neat and clean

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading The old man could only make himself understood by his beloved grandchild Valentine, and by a faithful servant named Barrois, by the rising and falling of his eyelids.

the act of using

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

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

From this reading A FAMILY TRAGEDY The procureur du roi, Villefort, was one of the most respected and influential men in Paris, and his reputation as district-attorney was spotless.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

which person or people

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Married the second time to a handsome and refined lady, Monsieur de Villefort spent his leisure time in the society of his wife, a grown daughter by his first marriage, named Valentine, his little son, Edouard, presented to him by his second wife, and his old father, Noirtier de Villefort, in an elegant mansion in the Faubourg St. Honore.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The only grief he had was the condition of his father, who had been stricken with paralysis, which had not only robbed him of the use of his limbs, but of his speech too.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading In the house of this immensely respected man, certain things had happened within a few months which attracted general attention, though no one could explain them.