The Count of Monte Cristo: Chapters 1–13

by Alexandre Dumas
After being falsely imprisoned, Edmond Dantès escapes, disguises himself as the Count of Monte Cristo, and seeks revenge. Learn these words from the 1888 translation by George Routledge and Sons. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–13, Chapters 14–27, Chapters 28–47, Chapters 48–73, Chapters 74–95, Chapters 96–117
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. unprepossessing
    creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
    He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates...
  2. obsequious
    attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
    He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates...
  3. insolent
    marked by casual disrespect
    He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates...
  4. askance
    with a side or oblique glance
    “Yes, to be sure I am. I love and esteem you, because honest folks are so rare. But it seems you have come back rich, my boy,” continued the tailor, looking askance at the handful of gold and silver which Dantès had thrown on the table.
  5. implicit
    being without doubt or reserve
    “When one is going to be married, there is nothing like implicit confidence; but never mind that, my boy, — go and announce your arrival, and let her know all your hopes and prospects.”
  6. wherewithal
    the necessary means (especially financial means)
    “When one thinks,” said Caderousse, letting his hand drop on the paper, “there is here wherewithal to kill a man more sure than if we waited at the corner of a wood to assassinate him! I have always had more dread of a pen, a bottle of ink, and a sheet of paper, than of a sword or pistol.”
  7. felicity
    state of well-being characterized by contentment
    Man does not appear to me to be intended to enjoy felicity so unmixed; happiness is like the enchanted palaces we read of in our childhood, where fierce, fiery dragons defend the entrance and approach; and monsters of all shapes and kinds, requiring to be overcome ere victory is ours.
  8. consternation
    sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion
    The company looked at each other in consternation.
  9. remonstrance
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
    M. Morrel felt that further resistance or remonstrance was useless.
  10. implicate
    bring into intimate and incriminating connection
    If any harm come of it, it should fall on the guilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand. How can we be implicated in any way?
  11. discretion
    the trait of judging wisely and objectively
    ‘Villefort,’ said his majesty, ‘is a young man of great judgment and discretion, who will be sure to make a figure in his profession...'
  12. estimable
    deserving of honor and respect
    “Oh,” said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, “you do not know him, and I do. He is the most estimable, the most trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to say, there is not a better seaman in all the merchant service. Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence for him.”
  13. augury
    an event indicating important things to come
    He was not bound, nor had they made any attempt to handcuff him; this seemed a good augury.
  14. venal
    capable of being corrupted
    “I do not mean that for you, Blacas,” continued Louis XVIII; “for if you have discovered nothing, at least you have had the good sense to persevere in your suspicions. Any other than yourself would have considered the disclosure of M. de Villefort insignificant, or else dictated by venal ambition.”
  15. perspicacity
    the ability to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly
    “Sire,” said Villefort, “the suddenness of this event must prove to your majesty that the issue is in the hands of Providence; what your majesty is pleased to attribute to me as profound perspicacity is simply owing to chance, and I have profited by that chance, like a good and devoted servant — that’s all..."
Created on Sun Nov 29 15:15:24 EST 2020 (updated Tue Aug 05 17:41:19 EDT 2025)

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