Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

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

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

a fortress built in Paris in the 14th century and used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was destroyed July 14, 1789 at the start of the French Revolution

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

past form of “belie” — be in contradiction with

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

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

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

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

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

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

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

past form of “deride” — treat or speak of with contempt

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

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

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

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

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

not in action or at work

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

small finch originally of the western United States and Mexico

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

engage in

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

used to form the superlative

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

not any; not one

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

impressive in appearance

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

plural of “noble” — a titled peer of the realm

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

plural of “philosophy” — a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading That he was garbed in black was but the outward indication of his clerkly office, for he was secretary to the most noble the Marquis de Fresnoy de Bellecour, and so clothed in the livery of the ink by which he lived.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

the season of growth

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

lighted by sunlight

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

having intellectual depth

From this reading His face was pale and lean and thoughtful, but within his great, intelligent eyes there shone a light of new-born happiness.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

a state of depression

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

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

From this reading It was spring at Bellecour--the spring of 1789, a short three months before the fall of the Bastille came to give the nobles pause, and make them realise that these new philosophies, which so long they have derided, were by no means the idle vapours they had deemed them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading By the brook, plashing its glittering course through the park of Bellecour, wandered La Boulaye, his long, lean, figure clad with a sombreness that was out of harmony in that sunlit, vernal landscape.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading But the sad-hued coat belied that morning a heart that sang within his breast as joyously as any linnet of the woods through which he strayed.