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The Celibates
The Celibates

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Celibates
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.
His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.
The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.
It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.
"Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."
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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.

The Celibates

Chapter V

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.
Line 2
His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.
Line 3
The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.
Line 4
It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.
Line 5
"Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

Learner Dictionary

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

Conscience noun US /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading “It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “"Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

ate

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

called

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

claws

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

coins

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

colonel

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

compelling

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

delicacy

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

Descoings

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

dining

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

down

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

drank

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

easy

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

enough

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

fault

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

finding

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

five

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

food

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

four

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

Gozlan

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

happy

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

home

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

household

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

later

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

Leon

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

Madame

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

men

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

money

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

months

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

mother

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

much

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

out

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

paid

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

payments

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

penny

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

Philippe's

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

place

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

pocket

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

promise

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

purse

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

quieted

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

remind

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

said

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

seldom

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

single

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

spend

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

table

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

Three

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

tigers

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

true

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

From this reading It is true that the colonel quieted his conscience on this score by seldom dining at home.

unwilling

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

vigorously

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

way

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

Well

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

From this reading "Well, he is happy," said his mother; "he is easy in mind; he has a place."

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His mother and Madame Descoings were unwilling, out of delicacy, to remind him of his promise.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

widows

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

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

year

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

From this reading The year went by without one of those coins which Leon Gozlan so vigorously called "tigers with five claws" finding its way from Philippe's pocket to the household purse.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Three months later, the colonel, who ate and drank enough for four men, finding fault with the food and compelling the poor widows, on the score of his payments, to spend much money on their table, had not yet paid down a single penny.