adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
abjectadjectiveUS /ˈæbdʒekt/
of the most contemptible kind
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
attractedverbUS /əˈtræktɪd/
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
Cevennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
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 knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
lentnounUS /lent/
a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
MountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
organizedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzd/
formed into a structured or coherent whole, particularly on a large scale
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
paintingsnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋz/
plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
peasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/
plural of “peasant” — a country person
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
printsnounUS /prɪnts/
plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
raimentnoun
especially fine or decorative clothing
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
saddenedverbUS /ˈsædənd/
past form of “sadden” — make unhappy
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
statuesnounUS /ˈstætʃuːz/
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
superfluousadjectiveUS /ˈsuːpərflwʌs/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading At first it appeared a hopeless task to arouse any interest among these peasants in subjects not bearing on their abject lives.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During these informal hours, he talked to them of literature and art and showed them his prints and paintings.
unlovelyadjective
without beauty or charm
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading To talk with boys of the ideal, when their poor bodies were in need of food and raiment, seemed superfluous; but in time the charm worked, as it always will.
youthnounUS /juːθ/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading I knew, in my youth, a French village far up among the Cevennes Mountains, where the one cultivated man of the place, saddened by the unlovely lives of the peasants around him and by the bare walls of the village school, organized evening classes for the boys.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading When the youths’ interest was aroused he lent them books, that they might read about the statues and buildings that had attracted their attention.
