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A Chambermaid's Diary
A Chambermaid's Diary

Chapter I

Cover illustration for A Chambermaid's Diary
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.
In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.
Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.
It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.
It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Chambermaid's Diary

Chapter I

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.
Line 2
In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.
Line 3
Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.
Line 4
It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.
Line 5
It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.”

All words in this reading · 81

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

attempt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

becomes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

begins

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

bitterness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

bourgeois

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

chambermaid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

country

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

crammed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

critic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

daily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

described

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

describing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

diary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

digresses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

enters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

episodes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

events

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

exposure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

finally

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

French

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

frequently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

grim

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

houses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

humor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

institutions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

keep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

living

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

low-lived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

masters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

nearly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

nobility

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

panorama

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

Paris

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

past

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

people

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

piquant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

professional

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

relate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

reminded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

rich

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

satire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

servants

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

served

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

service

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

show

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

social

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

terrific

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In describing the events of her daily life and the people about her, she is frequently reminded of episodes in her past, and digresses to relate them.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."

Thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus her diary becomes a piquant panorama of social life and institutions.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

truth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading A French chambermaid, who has served in Paris, in the houses of the nobility, the bourgeois, and professional people, finally enters the service of a rich couple living in the country, and there begins to keep a diary.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is a terrific social exposure, a grim social satire, crammed with humor, bitterness, and truth.

wretches

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It has been described by a French critic as "an attempt to show that nearly all the masters are low-lived wretches, and that nearly all the servants are as near like them as they know how to be."