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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
anemia
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From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
association
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From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
Chartres
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From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
check
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
clockwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
comprehensive
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
couch
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
Durtal
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From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
Edgar
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From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
examine
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
fallen
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From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
fearful
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From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
get
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
ill-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
La
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From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
langour
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
lip-service
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
living
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From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
lulled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
months
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From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
mood
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
mutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
nature
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
off
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
Paris
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From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
perspective
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
Poe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
prayers
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
puzzling
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From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
rarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
rebellious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
reeledverbUS /riːld/
moved unsteadily as if about to fall
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
releases
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
Revelations
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From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
Saint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
sleepy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
spiritual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
spring
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
tepid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
Theresa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And facing these chambers of the soul, dim with mist, he was struck by a strange association of the Revelations of Saint Theresa and a tale by Edgar Poe.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal had already been living at Chartres for three months.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
torpid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
touch
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From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
Trappe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On his return to Paris from La Trappe he had fallen into a fearful state of spiritual anemia.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
worn-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul kept its room, rarely rose, lounged on a couch, was torpid with the tepid langour still lulled by the sleepy mutter of mere lip-service, and prayers reeled off as by a worn-out machine of which the spring releases itself, so that it works all alone with no result, and without a touch to start it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sometimes, however, in a rebellious mood he managed to check himself, to stop the ill-regulated clockwork of his prayers, and then he would try to examine himself, to get above himself, and to see in a comprehensive glance the puzzling perspective of his nature.
