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Swann's Way
Swann's Way

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Swann's Way is here in full — 404 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Swann's Way
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.
Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.
So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.
In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.
How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?
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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.

Swann's Way

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Swann's Way is here in full — 404 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.
/maɪ ˈʌŋkəl huː ˈheɪtəd ˈlendɪŋ ˈpiːpəl bʊks sed ˈnʌθɪŋ ənd ˈʌʃərd miː aʊt ˈɪntuː ðə hɔːl/
Line 2
Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.
Line 3
So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.
/soʊ strɔːŋ æn ˌɪmˈpreʃən hæd ɪt meɪd əˈpɑːn miː ðæt tuː ˈaʊərz ˈleɪtər ˈæftər ə strɪŋ ʌv mɪˈstɪriəs ˈʌtərənsɪz wɪtʃ dɪd nɑːt straɪk miː æz ˈɡɪvɪŋ maɪ ˈperənts ə səˈfɪʃəntli klɪr aɪˈdiːə ʌv ðə nuː ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns wɪð wɪtʃ aɪ hæd bɪn ˌɪnˈvestəd aɪ faʊnd ɪt ˈsɪmpələr tuː let ðem hæv ə fʊl əˈkaʊnt oʊˈmɪtɪŋ noʊ dɪˈteɪl ʌv ðə ˈvɪzɪt aɪ hæd peɪd ðæt ˌæftərˈnuːn/
Line 4
In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.
/ɪn ˈduːɪŋ ðɪs aɪ hæd noʊ θɔːt ʌv ˈkɑːzɪŋ maɪ ˈʌŋkəl ˈeni ənˈplezəntnəs/
Line 5
How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

awkwardly adverb US /ˈɔːkwərdli/

in an awkward manner

From this reading “Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.”

invested verb US /ˌɪnˈvestəd/

past form of “invest” — make an investment

From this reading “So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.”

lending noun US /ˈlendɪŋ/

disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned

From this reading “My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.”

omitting verb US /oʊˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading “So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.”

simpler adjective US /ˈsɪmpələr/

comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading “So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.”

unpleasantness noun US /ənˈplezəntnəs/

the feeling caused by disagreeable stimuli; one pole of a continuum of states of feeling

From this reading “In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.”

ushered verb US /ˈʌʃərd/

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading “My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.”

utterances noun US /ˈʌtərənsɪz/

plural of “utterance” — the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

From this reading “So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.”

All words in this reading · 115

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/

in actual fact

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/

in an awkward manner

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.

certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

expressingverbUS /ɪkˈspresɪŋ/

-ing form of “express” — give expression to

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

gratitudenounUS /ˈɡrætətuːd/

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

How

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

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/

past form of “invest” — make an investment

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

kissesnounUS /ˈkɪsəz/

plural of “kiss” — the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

lendingnounUS /ˈlendɪŋ/

disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

MadlyadverbUS /ˈmædli/

in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

of an obscure nature

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

omittingverbUS /oʊˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

passionateadjectiveUS /ˈpæʃənət/

having or expressing strong emotions

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

pinknounUS /pɪŋk/

a light shade of red

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

simpleradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpələr/

comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

stringnounUS /strɪŋ/

a lightweight cord

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/

to a sufficient degree

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

tearsnounUS /terz/

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

tobacco-stained

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

unpleasantnessnounUS /ənˈplezəntnəs/

the feeling caused by disagreeable stimuli; one pole of a continuum of states of feeling

From this reading In doing this I had no thought of causing my uncle any unpleasantness.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

utterancesnounUS /ˈʌtərənsɪz/

plural of “utterance” — the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading So strong an impression had it made upon me that two hours later, after a string of mysterious utterances which did not strike me as giving my parents a sufficiently clear idea of the new importance with which I had been invested, I found it simpler to let them have a full account, omitting no detail, of the visit I had paid that afternoon.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading My uncle, who hated lending people books, said nothing, and ushered me out into the hall.

wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading How could I have thought such a thing, since I did not wish it?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Madly in love with the lady in pink, I covered my old uncle's tobacco-stained cheeks with passionate kisses, and while he, awkwardly enough, gave me to understand (without actually saying) that he would rather I did not tell my parents about this visit, I assured him, with tears in my eyes, that his kindness had made so strong an impression upon me that some day I would most certainly find a way of expressing my gratitude.

Chapter 3 of Swann's Way by Marcel Proust holds 404 sentences, grouped into 81 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 3 of Swann's Way contain?

Chapter 3 holds 404 sentences of Swann's Way, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Swann's Way by Marcel Proust exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 404 sentences, grouped into 81 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 3 of Swann's Way?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Swann's Way

Common questions about reading Swann's Way by Marcel Proust on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Swann's Way?

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Which edition of Swann's Way is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #?, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Swann's Way take to read?

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Vocabulary met early in Swann's Way

Words and structures a reader meets early in Swann's Way, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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