Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
advance
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From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
Augustine
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From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
benefit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
Chevrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
classes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
clear-sighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
conditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
conscript
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
debt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
decree
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From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
difference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
discharge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
elder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
fade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
formerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
goes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
felt extremely sad, especially because of a loss
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
Guillaume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
Guillaume's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
inexorable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
Joseph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
Lebas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
Mademoiselle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
marry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
Napoleon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
obstacle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
orphan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
predecessor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
repaying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A good bit of business, to marry off his daughter, and discharge a sacred debt by repaying to an orphan the benefit he had formerly received from his predecessor under similar conditions!
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
suitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
three-and-thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
Virginie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that day the old merchant, grieved at seeing his eldest daughter fade, remembered how he had married Mademoiselle Chevrel under much the same circumstances as those of Joseph Lebas and Virginie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “At the pace at which that man goes, our girls will soon have to go on their knees to a suitor!” said Monsieur Guillaume to himself, as he read the first decree by which Napoleon drew in advance on the conscript classes.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Being also too clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume’s purpose, he knew his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second would never marry before the elder.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseph Lebas, who was now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself.
