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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 Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
accused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
arranged
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From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
awaited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
betrothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/
an open area surrounded by the walls of a building
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
Dominique
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
evening
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From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
EveryonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
Francoise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
fête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
gazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
highway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
idleness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
leagues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
Merlier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
mill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
pleasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.
Père
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
Rocreuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
sex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
sparkling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.