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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 Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
adulated
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
all
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
away
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
beard
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
become
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
bull-neck
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From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
bumps
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
burly
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
came
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
canvas
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
carved
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
Chaîne
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
cheeks
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
committee
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
competitions
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
connoisseurnounUS /ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr/
a person who knows a great deal about the quality of something
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
conscription
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
copying
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
cow-boy
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
crazy
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
dated
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
deliberate
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From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
displaying
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
driven
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
embryo
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
enthusiasm
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
failed
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
feature
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
fellow
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
fireless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
Firmin
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
handles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
hardened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
hid
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
hopes
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
indeed
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
jaws
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
like
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From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
local
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
lost
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
man
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
manner
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From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
member
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
miles
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
misfortunes
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
missing
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
moment
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
museum
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
neighbourhood
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
nose
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
noticeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
obstinacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
only
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
painting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
peasant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
pile
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
Plassans
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
purse
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From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
quietly
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
red
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From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
roots
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
rustic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
rusty
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
Saint
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
sat
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From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
six
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From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
successively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
tanned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It could be told that he was a peasant by his heavy, deliberate manner and his bull-neck, tanned and hardened like leather.
town's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment, having become a rustic genius, an embryo great man for this local connoisseur, who happened to be a member of the museum committee, he had been helped by him, adulated and driven crazy with hopes; but he had successively failed in everything--his studies and competitions--thus missing the town’s purse.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
walking-stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His only noticeable feature was his forehead, displaying all the bumps of obstinacy; for his nose was so small as to be lost between his red cheeks, while a stiff beard hid his powerful jaws.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Behind the pile, indeed, sat Chaîne, a burly fellow who was quietly painting away, copying the fireless rusty stove on a small canvas.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He came from Saint Firmin, a village about six miles from Plassans, where he had been a cow-boy, until he drew for the conscription; and his misfortunes dated from the enthusiasm that a gentleman of the neighbourhood had shown for the walking-stick handles which he carved out of roots with his knife.
