Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading “‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.

point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

a member of a people of unknown origin living in the western Pyrenees in France and Spain

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

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

From this reading “‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

someone who writes an account of a person's life

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

plural of “cure” — a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a small cave (usually with attractive features)

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

past form of “interview” — conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

and nothing more

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

the common people generally

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

the force of workers available

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading “‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a form of address for a man

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

a chain of mountains between France and Spain

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

cut with a saw

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure, with my wife, in the Basque country and by the Pyrenees, and being in the neighbourhood of Lourdes, included it in my tour.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

produce a literary work

From this reading I spent fifteen days there, and was greatly struck by what I saw, and it then occurred to me that there was material here for just the sort of novel that I like to write--a novel in which great masses of men can be shown in motion--_un grand mouvement de foule_--a novel the subject of which stirred up my philosophical ideas.

the act of creating written works

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading “‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.

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

From this reading A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows:

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

From this reading BEFORE perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola’s aim in writing it, and his views--as distinct from those of his characters--upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures.