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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 Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
adorning
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From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
affect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
articles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
bath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
elegance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
exaggerate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
foppery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
Henri
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From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
Laurent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
Paul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
quantity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
refrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
superior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No!” said Henri, “two hours and a half.”
utensils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurent had set before his master such a quantity of utensils, so many different articles of such elegance, that Paul could not refrain from saying:
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But you will take a couple of hours over that?”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Why spend two hours and a half in adorning yourself, when it is sufficient to spend a quarter of an hour in your bath, to do your hair in two minutes, and to dress!
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “Well, then, since we are by ourselves, and can say what we like, explain to me why a man as superior as yourself--for you are superior--should affect to exaggerate a foppery which cannot be natural.
