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The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2 is here in full — 85 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.
It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.
She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.
But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.
She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2 is here in full — 85 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.
/ðə tʃaɪld wɑːz ˈnɪrli eɪt mʌnθs oʊld ənd ʃiː dɪd nɑːt noʊ ɪt əˈɡen/
Line 2
It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.
/ɪt hæd ɡroʊn ˈroʊzi ənd ˈtʃʌbi ɔːl ˈoʊvər laɪk ə ˈlɪtəl ˈbʌndəl ʌv ˈlɪvɪŋ fæt/
Line 3
She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.
/ʃiː θruː hərˈself ˈɑːntuː ɪt æz ɪf ɪt hæd bɪn sʌm preɪ ənd kɪst ɪt soʊ ˈvaɪələntli ðæt ɪt bɪˈɡæn tuː skriːm wɪð ˈterər ənd ðen ʃiː bɪˈɡæn tuː kraɪ hərˈself bɪˈkɔːz ɪt dɪd nɑːt noʊ hɜːr ənd stretʃt aʊt ɪts ɑːrmz tuː ɪts nɜːrs æz suːn æz ɪt sɔː hɜːr/
Line 4
But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.
Line 5
She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."
/ʃiː tʊk ðə ˈɡreɪtəst ˈpleʒər ɪn ˈhændlɪŋ ɪt ɪn ˈwɑːʃɪŋ ənd ˈdresɪŋ ɪt fɔːr ɪt siːmd tuː hɜːr ðæt ɔːl ðɪs wɑːz ðə ˌkɑːnfərˈmeɪʃən ʌv hɜːr məˈtɜːrnɪti ənd ʃiː wʊd lʊk æt ɪt ˈɔːlmoʊst ˈfiːlɪŋ sərˈpraɪzd ðæt ɪt wɑːz hərz ənd ʃiː juːzd tuː seɪ tuː hərˈself ɪn ə loʊ vɔɪs æz ʃiː dænst ɪt ɪn hɜːr ɑːrmz ɪt ɪz maɪ ˈbeɪbi ɪt ɪz maɪ ˈbeɪbi/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

anxieties noun US /æŋˈzaɪətiz/

plural of “anxiety” — (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading “But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.”

caresses noun US /kərˈesɪz/

plural of “caress” — a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

From this reading “But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.”

chubby adjective US /ˈtʃʌbi/

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading “It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.”

confirmation noun US /ˌkɑːnfərˈmeɪʃən/

additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

From this reading “She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."”

excitedly adverb US /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/

with excitement; in an excited manner

From this reading “But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.”

handling noun US /ˈhændlɪŋ/

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading “She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."”

maternity noun US /məˈtɜːrnɪti/

the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus

From this reading “She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."”

onto preposition US /ˈɑːntuː/

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading “She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.”

All words in this reading · 116

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

anxietiesnounUS /æŋˈzaɪətiz/

plural of “anxiety” — (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

babynounUS /ˈbeɪbi/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

caressesnounUS /kərˈesɪz/

plural of “caress” — a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

childnounUS /tʃaɪld/

a young person of either sex

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

chubbyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃʌbi/

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

confirmationnounUS /ˌkɑːnfərˈmeɪʃən/

additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

cryverbUS /kraɪ/

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

dancedverbUS /dænst/

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/

with excitement; in an excited manner

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

fatadjectiveUS /fæt/

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

herspronounUS /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

hopesnounUS /hoʊps/

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

how

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

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

kissedverbUS /kɪst/

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

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

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

maternitynounUS /məˈtɜːrnɪti/

the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

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

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

preynounUS /preɪ/

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/

reflecting optimism

From this reading It had grown rosy and chubby all over like a little bundle of living fat.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

screamverbUS /skriːm/

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

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

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/

a person, without saying who

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

terrornounUS /ˈterər/

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

threwverbUS /θruː/

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

troublesnounUS /ˈtrʌbəlz/

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/

an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/

in a violent manner

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The child was nearly eight months old, and she did not know it again.

washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She threw herself onto it as if it had been some prey, and kissed it so violently that it began to scream with terror, and then she began to cry herself, because it did not know her, and stretched out its arms to its nurse, as soon as it saw her.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

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

From this reading But the next day, it began to get used to her, and laughed when it saw her, and she took it into the fields and ran about excitedly with it, and sat down under the shade of the trees, and then, for the first time in her life, she opened her heart to somebody, and told him her troubles, how hard her work was, her anxieties and her hopes, and she quite tired the child with the violence of her caresses.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She took the greatest pleasure in handling it, in washing and dressing it, for it seemed to her that all this was the confirmation of her maternity, and she would look at it, almost feeling surprised that it was hers, and she used to say to herself in a low voice, as she danced it in her arms: "It is my baby, it is my baby."

Chapter 4 of The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2 by Guy de Maupassant holds 85 sentences, grouped into 17 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

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Chapter 4 holds 85 sentences of The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 2, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

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