Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

anew

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a lady's bedroom or private sitting room

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

cover from sight

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

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

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

straighten with a comb

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

in a dainty and fastidious manner

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

in a delicate manner

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

plural of “evasion” — a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

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

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a native or inhabitant of Japan

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

above and across; more than

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

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

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

of a color tinged with rose

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading He had long been a connoisseur in the sincerities and evasions of color-tones.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

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

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

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

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading More than two months passed before Des Esseintes could bury himself in the silent repose of his Fontenay abode.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

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

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

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

From this reading He was obliged to go to Paris again, to comb the city in his search for the things he wanted to buy.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What care he took, what meditations he surrendered himself to, before turning over his house to the upholsterers!

at the time that

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

in or at the place that

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In the days when he had entertained women at his home, he had created a boudoir where, amid daintily carved furniture of pale, Japanese camphor-wood, under a sort of pavillion of Indian rose-tinted satin, the flesh would color delicately in the borrowed lights of the silken hangings.