Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Three Cities Trilogy: Lourdes, Complete
The Three Cities Trilogy: Lourdes, Complete

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Three Cities Trilogy: Lourdes, Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
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 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:
“‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.
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.
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.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Three Cities Trilogy: Lourdes, Complete

Chapter I

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
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.
Line 2
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:
Line 3
“‘Lourdes’ came to be written by mere accident.
Line 4
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.
Line 5
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.

Learner Dictionary

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

BEFORE preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

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.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

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.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

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:”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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:”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

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.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

All words in this reading · 107

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1891

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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:

accident

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

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

aim

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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.

appeared

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:

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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.

Basque

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.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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.

BEFOREprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

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.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

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.

biographer

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:

book

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:

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

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:

came

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

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

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

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.

characters

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.

country

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.

cures

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.

days

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.

de

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.

distinct

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.

fifteen

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.

follows

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:

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

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.

foule

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.

friend

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:

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

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.

grand

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.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.

greatly

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.

Grotto

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.

H

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:

happened

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.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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:

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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.

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.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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.

included

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.

interviewed

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:

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

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.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

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.

just

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.

like

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.

Lourdes

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.

M

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.

masses

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.

material

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.

mepronounUS /miː/

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.

men

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.

mere

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

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

motion

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.

mouvement

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.

Mr

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:

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

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.

neighbourhood

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.

novel

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.

occurred

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.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

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.

perusing

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.

philosophical

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.

pleasure

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.

Pyrenees

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.

reader

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.

Robert

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:

saw

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.

Sherard

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:

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

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:

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

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.

shown

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.

sort

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.

spent

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.

spoke

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:

stirred

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.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.

subject

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:

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

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.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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.

then

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.

there

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.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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:

toparticleUS /tuː/

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:

tour

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.

travelling

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.

un

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.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.

up

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.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

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.

views

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.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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:

well

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.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

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.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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:

wife

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.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

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.

work

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.

write

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.

writing

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.

written

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

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

Zola

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:

Zola's

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.