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Against the Grain
Against the Grain

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Against the Grain
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.
Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.
The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.
After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.
Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.
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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.

Against the Grain

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.
Line 2
Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.
Line 3
The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.
Line 4
After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.
Line 5
Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.”

Perspiration noun US /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/

sweat produced by the body

From this reading “After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

alterations

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

arose

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

arteries

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

Attacked

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

attended

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

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

bell

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

Burning

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

clock-like

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

cold

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

compelled

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

coughing

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

deep

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

Des

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

died

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

digester

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

dyspepsia

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

enthusiasm

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

Esseintes

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

essence

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

eye

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

fever

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

fire

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

hallucinations

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

heard

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

hearing

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

heart

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

hot

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

illusions

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

increased

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

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

induced

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

irritation

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

like

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

malady

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

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

murmurings

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

nervous

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

nightmares

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

only

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

out

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

pains

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

peculiar

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

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

period

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/

sweat produced by the body

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

pounding

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

quickly

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

reappeared

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

recurred

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

regularity

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

resembled

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

resolved

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

reveal

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

rick

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

roaring

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

sickness

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

silvery

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

slowly

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

smell

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

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

sound

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

sounds

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

stomach

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

stop

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

strong

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

symptoms

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

From this reading The malady increased in strength; peculiar symptoms attended it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

then

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

Torpid

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

united

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

using

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Torpid at first, his nervous dyspepsia reappeared, and then this hot essence induced such an irritation in his stomach that Des Esseintes was quickly compelled to stop using it.

water

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

From this reading Attacked by a strong fever, Des Esseintes suddenly heard murmurings of water; then those sounds united into one and resembled a roaring which increased and then slowly resolved itself into a silvery bell sound.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading After the nightmares, hallucinations of smell, pains in the eye and deep coughing which recurred with clock-like regularity, after the pounding of his heart and arteries and the cold perspiration, arose illusions of hearing, those alterations which only reveal themselves in the last period of sickness.