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 that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Father Goriot answered that the lady was his eldest daughter.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
boarder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
boarder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Goriot answered that the lady was his eldest daughter.
daughters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
declined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
draw
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From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Goriot answered that the lady was his eldest daughter.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
explained
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From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
Father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Goriot answered that the lady was his eldest daughter.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
francs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
Goriot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
hard-and-fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
inasmuch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
indifference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
insolently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Goriot answered that the lady was his eldest daughter.
landlady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
Maison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
mistresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
nayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
sending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
umbrage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
Vauquer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
visits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When at length her boarder declined to nine hundred francs a year, she asked him very insolently what he took her house to be, after meeting one of these ladies on the stairs.
wretch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that time Goriot was paying twelve hundred francs a year to his landlady, and Mme. Vauquer saw nothing out of the common in the fact that a rich man had four or five mistresses; nay, she thought it very knowing of him to pass them off as his daughters.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading She was not at all inclined to draw a hard-and-fast line, or to take umbrage at his sending for them to the Maison Vauquer; yet, inasmuch as these visits explained her boarder’s indifference to her, she went so far (at the end of the second year) as to speak of him as an “ugly old wretch.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “So you have two or three dozen daughters, have you?” said Mme. Vauquer sharply.
