1893
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
aidnounUS /eɪd/
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
amusedadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
Athalie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
composingnounUS /kəmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
exercisesnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzəz/
plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
FablesnounUS /ˈfeɪbəlz/
plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
Fontaine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
GreecenounUS /ɡriːs/
a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
historiesnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
ignoringverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “ignore” — refuse to acknowledge
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
LanounUS /lɑː/
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
LenounUS /lə/
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
Lui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
Malgre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
Medecin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
pronunciationnounUS /proʊˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/
the manner in which someone utters a word
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
RomenounUS /roʊm/
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
slenderadjectiveUS /ˈslendər/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
StatesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
taskingverbUS /ˈtæskɪŋ/
-ing form of “task” — assign a task to
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
technicalitiesnounUS /ˌteknɪˈkælətiz/
plural of “technicality” — the state of being technical as in the use of technical terms or methods
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading I read the histories of Greece, Rome and the United States.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Before October, 1893, I had studied various subjects by myself in a more or less desultory manner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of course this was tasking slender powers for great ends; but it gave me something to do on a rainy day, and I acquired a sufficient knowledge of French to read with pleasure La Fontaine's "Fables," "Le Medecin Malgre Lui" and passages from "Athalie."
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I even tried, without aid, to master the French pronunciation, as I found all the letters and sounds described in the book.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading I had a French grammar in raised print, and as I already knew some French, I often amused myself by composing in my head short exercises, using the new words as I came across them, and ignoring rules and other technicalities as much as possible.
