adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
accordancenounUS /əˈkɔːrdəns/
concurrence of opinion
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
BalzacnounUS /bɑːlˈzæk/
French novelist; he portrays the complexity of 19th century French society (1799-1850)
From this reading De Balzac.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
canonizedadjectiveUS /ˈkænənaɪzd/
accorded sacrosanct or authoritative standing
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
ChurchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
CiteverbUS /saɪt/
make reference to
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
customnounUS /ˈkʌstəm/
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
DenounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading De Balzac.
devotionnounUS /dɪˈvoʊʃən/
feelings of ardent love
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
emblemnounUS /ˈembləm/
special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
Helene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Helene.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
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 In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
launchedverbUS /lɔːntʃt/
past form of “launch” — set up or found
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
Limoges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
marinersnounUS /ˈmerənərz/
plural of “mariner” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
middle-ages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
oceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
perilsnounUS /ˈperəlz/
plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
prayverbUS /preɪ/
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
protectionnounUS /prəˈtekʃən/
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
protectress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
reveredadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɪrd/
profoundly honored
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
ruenounUS /ruː/
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
sanctifiedadjective
made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
time-honoredadjective
acceptable for a long time
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
tiniestadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪniəst/
superlative of “tiny” — very small
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Helene.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
Vieille-Poste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the lower town of Limoges, at the corner of the rue de la Vieille-Poste and the rue de la Cite might have been seen, a generation ago, one of those shops which were scarcely changed from the period of the middle-ages.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils.
