Chapter I

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

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

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

divisible by two

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

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

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

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

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

set down according to a plan

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

not any; not one

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

a former province of northwestern France on the English channel; divided into Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

on one occasion

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

third-person singular of “portray” — portray in words

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

coming back

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

a state of acute pain

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

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

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

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

From this reading The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense.

torment emotionally or mentally

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

past form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

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

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

in or at the place that

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.

a late time of life

From this reading The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years.

but in spite of that

From this reading The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his father is one of intense physical suffering, blended with an eager desire to continue living, even at the cost of yet greater torture.

French novelist and critic; defender of Dreyfus (1840-1902)

From this reading 'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany.