- consignedverbChapter 1 →
Officially sent or delivered to a person or business for them to receive or deal with. Here the ship and its cargo are formally handed over to the merchant firm.
“The vessel is consigned to Messrs. Morrel & Son, of Marseilles, and I am the bearer of a letter to them from the captain.”
- bearernounChapter 1 →
A person who carries or delivers something, such as a letter or message, on behalf of someone else.
“The vessel is consigned to Messrs. Morrel & Son, of Marseilles, and I am the bearer of a letter to them from the captain.”
- peculiaradjectiveChapter 3 →
Belonging exclusively to a particular group or place; distinct and set apart from others, not merely strange or odd.
“The Catalans are a peculiar people—they come from a country of their own, and never mingle with the French.”
- mingleverbChapter 3 →
To mix or associate freely with other people or groups, blending together socially.
“The Catalans are a peculiar people—they come from a country of their own, and never mingle with the French.”
- packetnounChapter 3 →
A small parcel or bundle, especially one containing letters or official documents carried by a messenger or sailor.
“Suppose we were to write a letter to the authorities and tell them about the packet Dantès is carrying?”
- scribblingverbChapter 4 →
Writing quickly and carelessly, often in a way that is meant to look casual or unimportant to onlookers.
“What the devil are you scribbling there, Danglars? said Fernand. Nothing, said Danglars, I was just trying my pen.”
- draughtnounChapter 4 →
A drink swallowed in one go; used here figuratively to mean the bitter consequences or punishment one must endure as a result of one's own actions.
“Hatred is blind, rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.”
- vengeancenounChapter 4 →
Punishment or harm inflicted on someone in return for a wrong they have done; revenge carried out with great force or determination.
“Hatred is blind, rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.”
- denounceverbChapter 9 →
To formally accuse or report someone to the authorities, exposing them as guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
“If I were in your place, I would not lose a moment—I would denounce him.”
- conspiracynounChapter 10 →
A secret plan made by a group of people to do something harmful or illegal, especially against a government or powerful figure.
- troublousadjectiveChapter 10 →
Full of trouble, turmoil, or unrest; an old-fashioned word describing a period of political or social instability.
“not one of those petty conspiracies that in troublous times are every day brought to l…”
- pettyadjectiveChapter 10 →
Small and unimportant; of little significance compared to larger, more serious matters.
“not one of those petty conspiracies that in troublous times are every day brought to l…”
- hastenedverbChapter 10 →
Moved or traveled with great speed and urgency, rushing to reach a destination as quickly as possible.
“Sire, I have hastened to your majesty as fast as horse could carry me, to say that I have discovered a conspiracy.”
- postedverbChapter 11 →
Physically delivered or sent a letter by placing it where it would be dispatched; here meaning one person physically carried and submitted the written accusation.
“It was Danglars who wrote the letter, and Fernand who posted it.”
- convulsivelyadverbChapter 11 →
With sudden, uncontrolled, jerky movements caused by strong emotion or physical agitation.
“Fernand opened the letter, looked at it, crumpled it convulsively in his hand, then opened it again and read.”
- abbénounChapter 12 →
A French title for a man who has taken holy orders or is a member of the clergy, roughly equivalent to 'Father' or 'priest' in English.
“Father and Son — The Abbé Busoni”
- resolutionnounChapter 1 →
Firm determination and steadiness of character; the quality of being unwavering and self-possessed in the face of difficulty.
“there was in his whole person that calm and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their crad…”
- cradlenounChapter 1 →
Used here in the phrase 'from their cradle,' meaning from birth or earliest childhood onward.
- prudentadjectiveChapter 7 →
Careful and sensible in avoiding risks; showing good judgment about what is wise to do in a difficult situation.
“You are a young man, Dantès, and your future is before you. Be prudent, and all will go well.”
- verifyverbChapter 7 →
To check or confirm that something is true or accurate by examining it personally, rather than simply taking someone's word for it.
“I believe you, Dantès, but I must verify it for myself.”
- pitilessadjectiveChapter 8 →
Showing no mercy or compassion whatsoever; completely indifferent to the suffering of others.
“The Château d'If, that stern and pitiless fortress, received him as it had received so many others—without pity, without explanation, and without hope.”
- sternadjectiveChapter 8 →
Harsh, severe, and unrelenting; showing no warmth or flexibility in the enforcement of rules or punishment.
“The Château d'If, that stern and pitiless fortress, received him as it had received so many others—without pity, without explanation, and without hope.”
- tranquiladjectiveChapter 14 →
Calm and undisturbed in appearance or manner, free from agitation even when strong feelings are hidden underneath.
“He returned to his companions with a tranquil face, though his heart beat so violently he was forced to press his hand against it.”
- BonapartistadjectiveChapter 6 →
Loyal to Napoleon Bonaparte and his political cause; supporting the restoration of Napoleon's rule over France.
- millions of French moneyphraseChapter 13 →
A sum counted in French francs, the currency of France at the time; used to express an enormous fortune by the standards of the era.
“That treasure, which may amount in value to nearly thirteen millions of French money, belongs to you, my dear Dantès, if I die.”
The Count of Monte CristoNovel by Alexandre Dumas