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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
back
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
bands
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
barometer
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
become
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
Bertelliere
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
black
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
border
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
buffets
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From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
card-table
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From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
chess-board
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From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
chimney-piece
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
closets
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From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
cords
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
corners
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From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
curtains
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
de
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
deceased
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
dirty
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From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
disported
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
draped
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
ecclesiastical
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
enlivened
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
flies
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
four
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From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
French
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
Gentillet
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
gilding
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
gilt
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
Grandet
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
gros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
guard
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
guise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
held
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From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
la
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
licentiously
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
Madame
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From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
marquetry
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From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
old
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From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
oval
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
panel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
pastel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
portraits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
problematical
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From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
represent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
shepherdess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
silken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
surmounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
tassels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the panel opposite to the chimney-piece were two portraits in pastel, supposed to represent the grandfather of Madame Grandet, old Monsieur de la Bertelliere, as a lieutenant in the French guard, and the deceased Madame Gentillet in the guise of a shepherdess.
Tours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows were draped with curtains of red _gros de Tours_ held back by silken cords with ecclesiastical tassels.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the four corners of the hall were closets, or rather buffets, surmounted by dirty shelves.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old card-table in marquetry, of which the upper part was a chess-board, stood in the space between the two windows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Above this table was an oval barometer with a black border enlivened with gilt bands, on which the flies had so licentiously disported themselves that the gilding had become problematical.
