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The Parisians — Volume 01
The Parisians — Volume 01

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Parisians — Volume 01
Context Illustration Reading 1/4 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.
The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.
On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."
"You have been in London, Frederic?"
"Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Parisians — Volume 01

Chapter VII

Reading 1/4 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.
Line 2
The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.
Line 3
On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."
Line 4
"You have been in London, Frederic?"
Line 5
"Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"You have been in London, Frederic?"”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “"I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

alleys

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

always

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

artisans

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

attracted

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "You have been in London, Frederic?"

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

Bois

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

Boulogne

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

built

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

business

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

capital

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

class

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

clerks

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

commercialists

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

compelled

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

contrary

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

coupe

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

de

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

devotion

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

dull

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

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

English

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

feel

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

Frederic

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

From this reading "You have been in London, Frederic?"

Frenchman

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

globules

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

hideous

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

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

home

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

iron

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

irresistibly

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

Lemercier

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

lively

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

loadstone

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

London

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

metropolis

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

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

middle

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

mode

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

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

out

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

Paris

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

passionate

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

pining

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

rolled

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

said

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

scheming

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

seem

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

shopkeepers

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

some

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

suburb

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

superior

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

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading On the contrary, the London middle class, the commercialists, the shopkeepers, the clerks, even the superior artisans compelled to do their business in the capital, seem always scheming and pining to have their home out of it, though but in a suburb."

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

visit

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

From this reading "Of course; it is the mode to visit that dull and hideous metropolis."

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The English never seem to feel for London the passionate devotion that we feel for Paris.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I believe," said Lemercier, as the _coupe_ rolled through the lively alleys of the Bois de Boulogne, "that Paris is built on a loadstone, and that every Frenchman with some iron globules in his blood is irresistibly attracted towards it.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You have been in London, Frederic?"