The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African: Written By Himself — Page 3

Vocabulary

situé

Located or situated in a particular place

presque

Almost or nearly, indicating proximity to a quantity

sous

Preposition meaning 'under' or 'beneath'

équateur

The equator, imaginary line around Earth's middle

étend

Extends or stretches over an area or distance

long

Along; also an adjective meaning long or lengthy

côte

Coast or shoreline bordering a sea or ocean

environ

Approximately or about a given number or amount

pénètre

Penetrates or goes into an area or substance

intérieur

Interior or inland part of a country or region

jusqu'

Until or as far as, indicating a limit or endpoint

distance

Distance, the space between two points or places

crois

Believe or think, first person singular of 'croire'

ici

Here, referring to the current or nearby location

inexplorée

Unexplored, not yet discovered or examined by anyone

aucun

No, none, or not any particular person or thing

voyageur

Traveler or explorer who journeys to distant places

semble

Seems or appears to be a certain way

terminer

To end or finish something, to come to a conclusion

empire

Empire, a large territory ruled by a single authority

près

Near or close to a place or point in time

début

Beginning or start of something, such as a journey

royaume

Kingdom, a territory ruled by a king or queen

divisé

Divided or split into separate parts or sections

nombreuses

Numerous or many, referring to a large quantity

provinces

Provinces, administrative regions within a larger country

districts

Districts, subdivisions of a region or administrative area

reculés

Remote or distant, far from populated or known areas

fertiles

Fertile, capable of producing abundant crops or vegetation

entre

Between or among multiple people, objects, or places

appelé

Called or named, referring to something's given name

né

Born, past participle indicating place or time of birth

an

Year, a unit of time equal to twelve months

charmant

Charming or delightful, pleasant and attractive in character

fertile

Fertile, able to support rich plant growth and agriculture

vallon

Small valley nestled between hills or low mountains

nommé

Named or called, given a particular name or title

province

Province, a large administrative division of a country

depuis

Since or from a particular point in time onward

capitale

Capital city, the seat of government for a region

maritime

Maritime, relating to the sea or seafaring activities

devait

Had to or must have been, past obligation or deduction

considérable

Considerable or significant, large in size or importance

car

Because or for, introducing a reason or explanation

jamais

Never or ever, indicating absence of an occurrence

entendu

Heard, past participle of 'entendre' meaning to hear

parler

To speak or talk about a subject or person

ni

Neither or nor, used in negative constructions

mer

Sea, a large body of salt water

sujétion

Subjection or subordination to an authority or ruler

roi

King, a male monarch ruling over a kingdom

guère

Hardly or scarcely, indicating very little of something

nominale

Nominal, existing in name only, not in reality

affaire

Matter, affair, or business concern requiring attention

gouvernement

Government, the system or body that rules a state

autant

As much or as many, indicating an equal degree

modeste

Modest or humble, not boastful or overly ambitious

observation

Observation, the act of watching or noticing something carefully

étendît

Extended (subjunctive), past subjunctive of 's'étendre'

conduite

Conduct or behavior, the way someone acts or manages

chefs

Chiefs or leaders heading a group or community

anciens

Elders or ancients, older respected members of a community

lieu

Place or location where something occurs or exists

mœurs

Customs, morals, or manners of a people or society

peuple

People or nation, a group sharing culture and identity

entretient

Maintains or keeps up relations, contacts, or activities

peu

Little or few, indicating a small amount or degree

commerce

Trade or commerce, the exchange of goods and services

pays

Country or land, a nation with its own government

généralement

Generally or usually, in most cases or situations

simples

Simple or plain, not complex or elaborate in nature

histoire

History or story, an account of past events

passe

Passes or happens, referring to events taking place

village

Village, a small rural community or settlement

servir

To serve or act as, to function in a role

modèle

Model or example worthy of imitation or study

nation

Nation, a large group sharing culture, history, or government

dont

Whose, of which; a relative pronoun indicating possession

désigné

Designated or identified by a particular name or title

nom

Name or noun, a word used to identify a person

terme

Term, a word or expression with a specific meaning

souviens

Remember, first person singular of 'se souvenir'

marquait

Marked or signified, imperfect tense of 'marquer'

haute

High or great, indicating elevated rank or importance

distinction

Distinction, an honor or notable difference setting someone apart

signifiait

Meant or signified, imperfect tense of 'signifier'

langue

Language or tongue, a system of communication used by people

_marque_

Mark, a sign or symbol indicating distinction or quality

grandeur

Greatness or grandeur, the quality of being magnificent